title: Important aspects concerning alendronate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a literature review on sodium alendronate, focusing on osteonecrosis of the jaws, a serious potential side effect.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Sodium alendronate is a bisphosphonate that is widely used for the treatment of osteopenia, osteoporosis and Paget's disease. Like other bisphosphonates, it inhibits bone resorption by inactivating osteoclasts. Alendronate has evident benefits in the treatment of these diseases, but it is associated with jaw osteonecrosis, although less frequently compared with intravenous bisphosphonates. Therefore, some preventive measures should be taken to avoid this side effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the literature regarding the pharmacological aspects, mechanism of action, indications of use and side effects of sodium alendronate, as well as the management of patients under this therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The benefits of sodium alendronate are scientifically proven, but a serious adverse effect is osteonecrosis. Therefore, it is crucial to prepare the oral cavity before bisphosphonate therapy, providing a careful dental evaluation and all needed dental treatment.
authors.affiliation: Dental College, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Julia E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program of Dental College, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Salum
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program of Dental College, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program of Dental College, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cherubini
mesh_terms: D019386:Alendronate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D019386:Alendronate
keywords: BRONJ; bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws; osteoporosis; sodium alendronate