OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAW ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF BISPHOSPHONATES: IMPLICATIONS FOR DENTAL PRACTICE

Abstract

Bisphosphonates are drugs widely used in the treatment of diseases characterized by increased bone resorption, such as osteoporosis, malignant neoplasms and bone metastases. Despite their therapeutic efficacy, the use of these drugs has been associated with the development of maxillary osteonecrosis (ONM), a condition characterized by persistent bone exposure in the maxillofacial region, often related to invasive dental procedures. Given this context, this study aimed to analyze, through the scientific literature, the relationship between the use of bisphosphonates and the development of osteonecrosis of the jaws, highlighting its implications for dental practice. This is a literature review of a narrative nature, carried out through searches in the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS databases, considering articles published between 2021 and 2025, in Portuguese and English. The descriptors used were selected from DeCS and MeSH and combined with Boolean operators. The main findings in the literature indicate that osteonecrosis of the jaws is mainly associated with the intravenous route of administration, the prolonged time of use of bisphosphonates and the performance of invasive dental procedures, such as extractions and periodontal surgeries. It is concluded that prevention, through detailed anamnesis, individual risk assessment and conservative clinical conduct, is fundamental for patient safety, highlighting the essential role of the dental surgeon in the proper management of these cases.