IBMS BoneKEy | Perspective

Pathogenesis of osteonecrosis of the jaw

Ian R Reid



DOI:10.1138/20080300

Abstract

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a condition associated with high-dose bisphosphonate use, usually seen in the context of the management of skeletal metastatic disease. Its etiology is uncertain, and none of the currently proposed models appears adequate to account for all its clinical features. This review considers each of the possible contributory factors and suggests that the combination of an initiating injury, secondary infection, and toxicity to bone and non-bone cells from high local concentrations of these drugs is likely to be responsible for the development of this problem.


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