From Volume 43, Issue 6, July 2016 | Pages 563-566
In the past decade there has been a rise of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) predominately related to bisphosphonate therapy and osteoradionecrosis secondary to radiotherapy. However, osteonecrosis can occur in the absence of these agents. A case of idiopathic osteonecrosis of the maxilla is reported and the literature discussed.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is identified as ‘non-healing exposed necrotic bone in the maxillofacial region’.1 ONJ has received much publicity in the dental literature recently owing to its induction via various identified medications, eg bisphosphonates, denosumab and bevacizumab, and has now led to the new accepted acronym of MRONJ (Medication Related OsteoNecrosis of the Jaw). Radiotherapy is also a common cause for ONJ and is referred to as OsteoRadioNecrosis (ORN). There remain other causes for ONJ but these are uncommon. A spontaneous case of ONJ due to vascular ischaemia is presented.
A 94-year-old-male was referred by his general dental practitioner to the Head and Neck clinic at Guy's Hospital due to exfoliation of his upper central incisors and exposed non-healing bone in the premaxilla, as a malignant process was suspected. Prior to exfoliation of the teeth, the patient experienced spontaneous intra-oral bleeding from the maxillary midline region.
Thank you for visiting Dental Update and reading some of our resources. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
