CE Course & Event Information

FA3 - Bisphosphonates, Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (ONJ) and Dentistry - Where Are We Now and What Do We Know?

Friday, August 25th 2023, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Dr. George Kushner
Ticket #: FA3

Friday, August 25, 2023
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
“Bisphosphonates, Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (ONJ) and Dentistry - Where Are We Now and What Do We Know?”

1 Continuing Education Hour
FEE: $45.00
AUDIENCE: D ST H A

There has been a new pathologic entity which was identified in the literature in 2003. Patients were found to have painful exposed bony areas of the jaws which occurred after simple dental procedures such as extractions. There were also reports of spontaneous exposures of bone in the jaws which were symptomatic. The common link was to the drug class of bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates were given intravenously to cancer patients to combat the hypercalcemia often seen in multiple myeloma and metastatic cancers. This new condition was named osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ).

There are also oral forms of bisphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva. Although there is a higher incidence of osteonecrosis associated with IV administration of bisphosphonates, we have seen cases of ONJ associated with oral bisphosphonates that were prescribed to treat osteoporosis.

The lecture will review what we currently know about bisphosphonates, including recommendations for dental management and prevention of ONJ. We will also discuss what is uncertain at this early stage of the new pathologic entity.

Learning Objectives:
• The participant will understand the new pathologic entity named
osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) and the link to bisphosphonate drugs.
• The participant will understand how modifications may have to be made in the treatment plan to accommodate bisphosphonate patients.
• The participant will understand the current recommendations in prevention, management and treatment of ONJ.