Robert E. Marx, DDS, FACS: No financial relationships to disclose
Osteonecrosis of the jaw from osteoporosis medications and medications given to cancer patients remains a problem for every dentist and OMS. Today, medications from either an intravenous route, oral route or subcutaneous route are known to cause ONJ. This session will review these medications, stress the appropriateness and timeframes of drug holidays in select patients as well as prevention protocols, management tactics and specific surgeries when indicated. This session will contrast the presentation and care between the osteoporosis patient and the cancer patient. A simplified staging procedure will be offered. Four critical issues related to prevention, management and resolution of ONJ will be reviewed in detail and outcomes presented.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
Discuss specific drugs that cause ONJ and their routes of administration.
Accomplish prevention procedures, management procedure and appropriate surgeries for resolution and select the direct treatment for each individual patient.
Select drug holidays, antibiotics, occlusal adjustments and surgeries appropriate to individual patient needs.
Describe how to interface with treating physicians and oncologist for a team approach for preventing and managing ONJ.
Recognize early signs of ONJ and be cognizant of new drugs coming to the market that have a potential to cause ONJ.