title: Osteonecrosis of the jaws in patients treated with bisphosphonates.
abstract: The literature describes an increasing presence of bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ), characterized by the exposure for over 8 weeks of necrotic bone in the maxillofacial region, after bisphosphonate therapy, in the absence of prior maxillary radiotherapy. The present literature review examines the etiopathogenesis, risk factors, clinical forms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of bisphosphonate-induced ONJ. In addition, a review is made of all the series involving over 15 patients diagnosed with this disorder between 1 January 2011 and 15 May 2011. A PubMed-Medline search was carried out with the following key words: "bisphosphonates" and "osteonecrosis". The appearance of osteonecrosis is a serious complication, with an increasing incidence, that affects patient quality of life and causes important morbidity. All patients treated with bisphosphonates are at risk of developing osteonecrosis as a result of such medication. This potential complication therefore should be explained to the patient by both the prescribing physician and the dental surgeon in charge of oral treatment, with the obtainment of informed consent in all cases. Key words:Osteonecrosis of the jaws, bisphosphonates, etiopathogenesis, prevention, treatment.
authors.affiliation: DDS. University of Valencia Medical and Dental School.
authors.forename: Fadi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ata-Ali
authors.affiliation: DDS. Primary care dentist, Valencian public healthcare service. Master in Oral Medicine and Surgery. Master in Oral Surgery and Implantology. Valencia University Medical and Dental School.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ata-Ali
authors.affiliation: DDS. Master in Oral Surgery and Implantology. Valencia University Medical and Dental School.
authors.forename: Antonio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Flichy-Fernández
authors.affiliation: Chairman of Oral Medicine. Valencia University Medical and Dental School. Head of the Department of Stomatology. Valencia University General Hospital. Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: José V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Bagan