Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Death and exposure of jawbone tissue, frequently associated with bisphosphonate therapy or antiangiogenic medications.
Full Definition
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a serious condition characterised by exposed, necrotic bone in the maxillofacial region that fails to heal over eight weeks in a patient who has received antiresorptive or antiangiogenic agents and has not undergone radiation to the head and neck. The most widely documented form is medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). ONJ staging ranges from at-risk (Stage 0) through increasing severity (Stages 1–3), influencing surgical and conservative management decisions. Editors working on oncology-dentistry interface documents must ensure accurate staging nomenclature and correct use of 'MRONJ' versus the older term 'BRONJ' (bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw), which is now considered outdated by the AAOMS.
Usage
Usage note: Prefer 'MRONJ' over the outdated 'BRONJ' per current AAOMS guidance. Distinguish from 'osteoradionecrosis,' which is radiation-induced, not medication-induced.
In Context
- "The multidisciplinary team deferred elective implant placement due to the patient's history of zoledronic acid infusions and the associated risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw." — Multidisciplinary case conference report
- "Editors should flag the acronym 'BRONJ' as outdated and replace it with 'MRONJ' in any manuscript submitted after 2014." — Manuscript editing note