Diagnosis and Staging of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

The relationship between osteonecrosis of the jaw and bisphosphonate therapy was initially established more than 10 years ago. Since that time, our understanding of this disease process has evolved as the direct result of clinical, basic science, and animal research initiatives. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a well-known entity now known to be associated with various antiresorptive therapies and recently with antiangiogenic medications. This article reviews the recently modified diagnostic criteria for MRONJ with a focus on the clinical, histopathologic, and imaging characteristics of this disease process.