Is periodontal disease a risk factor for the development of MRONJ?

Abstract

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a rare but serious complication for patients undertaking treatment with antiresorptive or antiangiogenic agents. MRONJ is defined as an area of exposed necrotic bone in the maxilla or mandible persisting for more than eight weeks where there has been no history of radiotherapy or obvious metastatic disease to the jaws.1,2 The risk of developing MRONJ is greatest in patients receiving intravenous bisphosphonates, and the relatively low risk for those receiving bisphosphonates orally may be attributable to the route and frequency of bisphosphonate administration.3 Despite an increasing prevalence, the pathophysiology of MRONJ remains contentious.2