Maxillary bone necrosis following the use of bisphosphonates in patients with cancer: management and case series

2008

Bisphosphonates are bone-turnover modulating drugs used to treat various diseases such as certain cancers, bone metastasis, bone- and calcium-related disorders, Paget`s disease, osteoporosis and osteopenia. Recently, several preliminary reports have reported the insurgence of osteonecrosis of the mandible and/or maxilla, associated with intravenously administered bisphosphonates. This case series describes the effects of bisphosphonates used in the treatment of certain cancers on oral bone tissues.