Abstract

CORTES-MOTTA, María Catalina  and  GRISALES, Rafael Fernández. Osteonecrosis of the jaws: pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. CES odontol. [online]. 2016, vol.29, n.2, pp.65-77. ISSN 0120-971X.

The human skeleton is an organized set of bony pieces that make up and provide the structural support of the body. Different functions have been described: dynamic and mechanical support, protection and maintenance of mineral homeostasis. For this, the bone must maintain its active metabolism and be able to adapt its structure to mechanical stimuli repairing the structural damages through the process of remodeling throughout the life. Osteoporosis, Paget‘s disease, cancer and bone infections, will alter the physiology of the tissue resulting in the loss of its integrity. Bisphosphonates (BFs) are pharmacological agents designed for the treatment of these diseases, their main mechanism of action is the inhibition of bone osteoclastic resorption. Medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) consists of the progressive destruction of the bone tissue, being one of the adverse effects of this type of treatment. For this reason, the objective of this article was to make a review about the main pharmacological and clinical aspects of ONJs related to bisphosphonates in dentistry. Clinical diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to reduce the risk of osteonecrosis in patients undergoing antiresorptive therapy or before starting administration. For this reason, prevention is even more important.

Keywords : Bone necrosis; bisphosphonates; bone resorption; bone remodeling.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )