High C-Terminal Cross-Linking Telopeptide Levels Are Associated With a Minimal Risk of Osteonecrosis of the Jaws in Patients Taking Oral Bisphosphonates and Having Exodontia.

Purpose: The clinical significance of bone turnover marker C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide (CTX) levels less than 150 pg/mL among recipients of oral bisphosphonate (OBP) medications who develop osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) after exodontia is unclear. We searched the published data to determine the prevalence of such levels and the association, if any, with development of MRONJ.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review of published studies in the PubMed database was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence of preoperative, fasting CTX levels less than 150 pg/mL among recipients of OBP scheduled for exodontia and to determine whether such levels are associated with the development of postoperative MRONJ.