Clinical comparison of patients with osteonecrosis of the jaws, with and without a history of bisphosphonates administration

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the role of bisphosphonates in jaw osteomyelitis. 29 patients were included: 18 had been treated with bisphosphonates (12 with multiple myelomas, 3 with breast carcinomas, 2 with prostate carcinomas, and 1 with osteoporosis). Of 11 control patients, 2 had breast carcinomas, 2 had bronchial carcinomas, and 7 had no cancer. Descriptive and statistical evaluations were conducted to investigate the influence of chemotherapy, corticosteroids, stem cell transplantation, and bisphosphonates on the development and clinical picture of osteomyelitis. Both groups had similar disease histories, clinical pictures, treatment methods, and outcome. Wound dehiscence frequencies were also similar (Mann–Whitney rank sum test 1.66 ± 1.5 vs. 1.45 ± 2.0 p = 0.393). Chemotherapy, steroid therapy, stem cell transplantation, or bisphosphonate administration did not correlate with the clinical picture. Neither the duration of therapy nor the type of bisphosphonate influenced the clinical picture (negative Fisher's tests). The bisphosphonate group showed a characteristic settlement of Actinomyces in the exposed bone (positive Fisher's test, p = 0.021). These results suggested that osteomyelitis developed as a consequence of the simultaneous, cumulative action of many factors. Bisphosphonates played a role comparable to other predisposing features. Coating the jaws with bisphosphonates could promote the settlement of Actinomyces.