Dental and periodontal history of oncologic patients on parenteral bisphosphonates with or without osteonecrosis of the jaws : a pilot study

OBJECTIVES: We tested the hypothesis that patients on bisphosphonates with ONJ might have a poorer dental and periodontal history than non-ONJ patients. Our aim was to retrospectively compare medical and oral history of patients on bisphosphonates with and without ONJ. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 39 oncologic patients on bisphosphonates were interviewed, examined, and had a panoramic radiograph taken. DMFT values and residual bone levels were calculated and compared for ONJ and non-ONJ patients. RESULTS: Twenty of 39 patients had ONJ. No statistical differences in caries or residual bone level as well as dental extractions were detected, although twice as many patients with ONJ underwent dental extractions. ONJ patients had received statistically more administrations of bisphosphonates compared to non-ONJ patients. CONCLUSION: A long history of bisphosphonate administration might represent a risk for ONJ onset.