Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with dental implants.

Purpose: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a well-documented devastating side effect of long-term bisphosphonate (BP) use. There is scarce information in the literature on BRONJ associated with dental implants (DIs). The purpose of this study was to present a large series of cases of this association.

Patients And Methods: The files of all patients with BRONJ associated with DIs who were treated in the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery from 2003 to 2009 were reviewed. Data on demographics, medical background, type, and duration of BP treatment before the development of BRONJ, mode of therapy, and therapeutic outcome were retrieved.

Results: Of the 27 patients enrolled into the study, 11 (41%) developed BRONJ while taking oral BPs and 16 (59%) developed BRONJ associated with intravenous BPs. BRONJ developed after mean periods of 68 months (median, 60), 16.4 months (median, 13), and 50.2 months (median, 35) in patients on alendronate, zoledronic acid, and pamidronate, respectively. Only 6 patients developed BRONJ during the first 6 months after DI placement. When BP treatment had been started before DI placement, there was a mean duration of 16.2 months (median, 11) until the appearance of BRONJ development. Long-term antibiotics and only essential surgical procedures comprised the treatment of choice, and the response rate was considerably better for patients taking the oral type of BPs. There was no significant association between BRONJ and diabetes, steroid intake, or smoking habits.

Conclusion: Patients undergoing BP treatment and who receive DIs require a prolonged follow-up period to detect any development of BRONJ associated with DIs.