Principles of oral surgery for prevention of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw

Abstract

Principles and workflow are described to prevent bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) when oral surgery is necessary in patients taking bisphosphonates. A total of 117 surgical procedures were performed on 68 patients taking bisphosphonates. The basis of the treatment was (1) use of perioperative antibiotics; (2) after dentoalveolar surgical procedures, bone edges were smoothed and mucoperiosteal flaps were prepared to ensure tension-free wound closure; (3) sutures were not removed until 14 days postsurgery; (4) long-term results were evaluated. Ninety-seven percent of all procedures were simple and showed no complications. Only 3 patients with a long history of intravenous bisphosphonate medication developed BRONJ within 4 weeks after surgery. No patient receiving oral bisphosphonates developed BRONJ. No long-term failure was observed when primary wound healing was successful. The high success rate of the described surgical procedures imply dentoalveolar surgery with low risk of development of BRONJ is possible for patients taking bisphosphonates.