Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026
Surgical Bone Implantation Technique for Rat Tibia Models of Diabetes and Osteoporosis
Published on: July 5, 2024
Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis associated with dental implants: a microcomputed tomography study
Luis Junquera1, Alejandro Pelaz, Lorena Gallego
1*Professor, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Central University Hospital, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain. †Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Cabueñes Hospital, Gijón, University of Oviedo, Spain. ‡Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Cabueñes Hospital, Gijón, University of Oviedo, Spain. §Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Oviedo, Central University Hospital, Spain. ‖Professor, Chief of Department of Radiology, Central University Hospital, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
This study used microCT to analyze bone sequestra in patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) linked to dental implants. Findings reveal distinct trabecular architecture differences between implant surgery-triggered and loading-triggered BRONJ.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
- Radiology
Background:
- Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a serious complication associated with bisphosphonate therapy, particularly in patients with dental implants.
- Understanding the microstructural characteristics of necrotic bone in BRONJ is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular architecture of sequestra in patients with BRONJ associated with dental implants.
- To compare trabecular bone characteristics between BRONJ triggered by implant loading versus implant surgery.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution microcomputed tomography (microCT) was employed to scan bone sequestra from two patients diagnosed with BRONJ and dental implants.
- Morphometric parameters including BMD, bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and connectivity density (Conn.D) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Bone sequestra in BRONJ patients exhibited higher BMD and BV/TV compared to healthy bone.
- Trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) was reduced, while trabecular number (Tb.N) and thickness (Tb.Th) were increased in the BRONJ group.
- Connectivity density (Conn.D) and trabecular number (Tb.N) were significantly higher in implant surgery-triggered BRONJ sequestra but lower in loading-triggered BRONJ compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Microcomputed tomography (microCT) is an effective tool for evaluating bone sequestration in BRONJ associated with dental implants.
- The microstructural characteristics of necrotic bone in implant-associated BRONJ are comparable to those observed in conventional BRONJ.
