Drug-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Jaws

Drug-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws (DIONJ) is something oral surgeons are all too familiar with. For decades Dr Marx has been advocating for drug holidays and other clinical tactics that can help mitigate the effects of bisphosphonates and other DIONJ-causing agents, particularly in patients being treated for osteoporosis or cancer. Now his goal is to equip doctors and surgeons to treat it effectively and prevent it whenever possible, and this book compiles all of his strategies and guidelines to do just that. The first chapter explains the mechanism of action of DIONJ as well as its risk factors and staging, and the following chapters outline how to diagnose, treat, and even prevent DIONJ in patients with osteoporosis and cancer. Twenty cases are included to show how DIONJ presents clinically and what to do in each situation based on severity and patient condition. After all, runaway cancer is life-threatening, so simply avoiding DIONJ-causing drugs is not always feasible. That is why Dr Marx gives clear and practical information on how best to handle each situation, so oral surgeons and other clinicians can craft the best possible treatment plans for their patients.

Robert E. Marx, DDS, professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is well known as an educator, researcher, and innovative surgeon. He has pioneered new concepts and treatments for pathologies of the oral and maxillofacial area as well as new techniques in reconstructive surgery. As a researcher, he has made valuable contributions in the use of hyperbaric oxygen following radiation therapy, in the development of platelet-rich plasma, and in elucidating the relationships between smoking and carcinogenesis. He also pioneered the clinical applications of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein and stem cell use and was the first to identify what is now known worldwide as bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws. For the past 34 years, he has overseen the training of scores of residents and fellows, many of whom have themselves established distinguished careers. His many prestigious awards, including the Harry S. Archer Award, the William J. Gies Award, the Paul Bert Award, and the Donald B. Osbon Award, attest to his dedication and commitment to the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery.