Recently, bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw(BONJ) is added to the list of diseases of the oromaxillofacial region. BONJ is defined as exposed bone in the jaw that does not heal within 8 weeks after identification, in a patient who has...
Recently, bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw(BONJ) is added to the list of diseases of the oromaxillofacial region. BONJ is defined as exposed bone in the jaw that does not heal within 8 weeks after identification, in a patient who has been received to bisphosphonates and has not taken radiation therapy to the craniofacial region. Bisphosphonates binded to bone mineral are concentrated in highly active remodeling site, reside in the skeleton for a long time, and do a role as powerful inhibitors of bone resorption. As the patients receiving bisphosphonates therapy grow in number, the patients of BONJ would go on increasing in Korea. We would like to present two patients who were suspected to BONJ, describe the outline of BONJ, and mention importance of our understanding about BONJ. BONJ is rare disease, but once it develops, its prognosis is very poor. Our adequate understanding of BONJ is necessary to prevent it and cope with it properly.