Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a side effect of
Bisphosphonates (BPs) use. These days, oral
bisphosphonates are normally prescribed to treat
osteoporosis. Intravenous BPs are used extensively to treat osteolytic
bone lesions related to multiplemyeloma and
bone metastasis of solid
cancers,
breast cancer or
prostate cancer. As the
prescription of BPs is universalized and the number of people treated with BPs is increasing, an accurate
understanding and proper management of BRONJ are required. The aim of this study was to improve the clinicians'
understanding of BRONJ by reviewing the
literature. To achieve this, this
paper introduces
case reports as well as the current concept of BRONJ based on the 2009 updates by American
Association of Oral and Maxillofacial (AAOMS) including the definition,
epidemiology,
etiology,
diagnosis,
treatment and prevention of BRONJ.