Both non-surgical dental treatment and extractions increase the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: case-control study

Abstract

Objectives

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a serious condition whose risk factors remain unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of oral health and of dental treatment in the development of MRONJ.

Materials and methods

A case-control study was conducted in Brisbane, Australia. Hospital records were used to identify incident cases of MRONJ between January 2010 and March 2017. Cases were individually matched to up to 3 controls according to age, sex, primary disease, and type of antiresorptive therapy. Demographic data, medical histories and public dental records were collected. Associations between oral health, dental treatment, and MRONJ were investigated using conditional logistic regression.

Results

Overall, 44 cases were identified and matched to 115 controls (total sample = 159). Only one-third of patients received a dental examination in the year prior to commencing antiresorptive therapy (27% of cases and 34% of controls). After adjusting for potentially confounding variables, non-surgical dental treatment (OR = 6.3; 95% CI = 2.1, 19.1; p < 0.001) and dental extractions (OR = 8.0; 95% CI = 3.0, 21.0, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with development of MRONJ.

Conclusions

Current levels of preventative dental care are insufficient to eliminate the need for dental treatment and extractions during antiresorptive therapy, and the consequent increase in risk of MRONJ.

Clinical relevance

Optimizing the health of the oral cavity and ongoing preventative dental care must be a priority for patients prior to the initiation of antiresorptive medications.

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