American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Position Paper on Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws-2009 Update

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) adversely affects the quality of life, producing significant morbidity in afflicted patients. Strategies for the treatment of patients with, or at risk of, BRONJ were set forth in the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Position Paper on Bisphsphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the jaws (Position Paper) and approved by the Board of Trustees in September 2006.(1) The Position Paper was developed by a Task Force appointed by the Board and composed of clinicians with extensive experience in caring for these patients and basic science researchers. The knowledge base and experience in addressing BRONJ has expanded, necessitating modifications and refinements to the original Position Paper. The Task Force was reconvened in August 2008 to review the 2006 recommendations, appraise the current published data, and revise the Position Paper and recommendations, where indicated. This update contains revisions to the diagnosis and staging and management strategies and highlights the status of basic science research. AAOMS considers it vitally important that this information be disseminated to other dental and medical specialties.