Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaws: surgical treatment with ErCrYSGG-laser. Case report

Bisphosphonates (BP) play an important role in concomitant therapy of certain types of cancer and multiple myeloma as well as in treatment of osteoporosis. The administration of BP has great therapeutic benefits, but correlates with a specific kind of osteonecrosis of the alveolar bone. The so-called bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is a rare, but often severe adverse side effect of high-dosage and long-term BP therapy. Thus far, no consensus for treatment of BRONJ has been achieved. All strategies have to take into account the insecure prognosis and danger of recurrence of clinically apparent necrosis and progression of disease. At the Department of Oral Surgery and Radiology, Medical University of Graz, an ErCrYSGG laser was successfully applied in surgical treatment of BRONJ. Stable mucosal coverage could be achieved in all of 5 cases. Laser surgery can be considered as a promising technique for the effective treatment of BRONJ. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010;110:e1-e6)