Osteonecrosis of the jaw

Question 1

what is osteonecrosis of the jaw?

Answer 1

a rare complication of bisphosphonate therapy (alendronate)

commonly precipitated by a surgical procedure

non healing gingival lesion with exposure of mandible and maxilla bone

tx: analgesia, infection control, some pt may require debridement

Question 2

bisphosphonates

Answer 2

analogues of pyrophosphate molecule
inhibit osteoclast by educing recruitiment and promoting apoptosis

• prevent and tx of osteoperosis
• hypercalcaemia
• paget’s disease
• pain from bone mets

! oesophagitiis
! osteonecrosis of jaw
! atypical stress fracture
! acute phase repsonse
! hypocalcaemia

tablets should be swallowed whole. sit/stand. empty stomach at least 30 mins before breakfast and should stand/sit for at least 30 min.