Drug-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Jaws: How to Diagnose, Prevent, and Treat It

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.