[Osteonecrosis of the jaw following complex tumour treatment using bisphosphonates]

During comprehensive treatment using bisphosphonates in cases showing skeletal metastases or those with breakdowns in the skeletal metabolism in the form of osteoporosis, the patients developed complications in the form of osteonecrosis of the jaw. The complication resides in a defect in vascularisation of the skeletal tissue, which is brought about by the properties of nitrogen molecules found in modern bisphosphonates. The ailment in the jaw is provoked by the extraction of a tooth. The wound on the bone does not heal and the alveolitis is accompanied by excruciating pain and can deteriorate into extensive ostitis with bare necrotic ends of the bone. At the beginning, the treatment of the affected part of the jaw is guarded and conservative, followed later by surgical removal of the necrotically deteriorating bone, sequestrotomy or partial resection of the bone without damaging the wholeness of the jaw, always accompanied with effective anti-biotic therapy. As in cancer patients where radiation will be used, treatment with bisphosphonates requires dental examination and indicated extraction of teeth within a preventive strategy. Any resulting complications should be seen-to by a jaw specialist.