[Advances in the research of bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws]

Recently, some reports indicate that osteonecrosis of the jaws could occur after taking drugs containing hisphosphonates, including alendronate, pamidronate and zolendronate, which are widely used to treat osteoporosis and metastatic skeletal lesions in clinic.More and more attentions were given to this new oral complication. This article summarizes some advances in clinical manifestation, diagnosis, prevention and therapy of bisphosphonate -associated osteonecrosis of the jaws as well as the possible mechanisms involved.