Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) Might Explain the Increased Oral Surgery Risk in Cancer Patients Treated with Bisphosphonates

Article Title and Bibliographic Information

Bisphosphonates are Associated with Increased Risk for Jaw Surgery in Medical Claims Data: Is it Osteonecrosis?

Zavras AI, Zhu S.

J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2006;64(6):917-23.

Level of Evidence

2c

Purpose/Question

To examine if bisphosphonate (BP) users require more oral surgery compared with never-users and question whether the increased risk for surgery might be explained by the occurrence of ONJ.

Source of Funding

This work was partially supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research through a Career Transition Award to Dr Zavras and by Ingenix through its contribution of the medical claims data.

Type of Study/Design

Retrospective cohort study