ONJ (osteonecrosis of the jaw) is defined as an area of exposed necrotic bone in the mandible or maxilla persisting for more than eight weeks in a patient who has received or is currently receiving bisphosphonates and who has no history of having received radiation therapy to the jaws. In recent years, investigators have described the occurrence of ONJ in patients with cancer who are being treated withantiangiogenic agents such as bevacizumab and sutinib, as well as with antiresorptive therapeutics such as denosumab. Research has indicated that patients using denosumab may have a greater chance of getting osteonecrosis of the jaw.
Check with your Doctor if you are taking bisphosponates. Article prepared by ADA -Division of Science- JADA Sept 2012
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