Doctors aren't sure why people get osteonecrosis of the jaw. It can happen for no clear reason. But it's more likely after you've had: A tooth pulled A jaw injury Radiation therapy to your head and neck to treat cancer High IV doses of certain bone medicines called bisphosphonates Bisphosphonates are most often taken by mouth to treat thinning bones ( osteoporosis ). Taking them this way doesn't seem to increase risk of ONJ. However, high doses given by vein may increase risk, particularly if you then have oral surgery.

Quick Facts: Osteonecrosis of the Jaw - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

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What is osteonecrosis of the jaw?

What causes ONJ?

What are the symptoms of ONJ?

How can doctors tell if I have ONJ?

How can I prevent ONJ?

How do doctors treat ONJ?

Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Polymositis is characterized by inflammation and degeneration of the muscles. Dermatomyositis is polymositis accompanied by skin inflammation. In which of the following age groups do these disorders typically occur?

Adults ages 40 to 60 years, and children ages 5 to 15 years
Children of all ages, and young adults ages 20 to 29 years
Infants and young children ages 2 to 10 years
Young children ages 2 to 10 years, and adolescents ages 12 to 19 years

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Last full review/revision Apr 2019| Content last modified Apr 2019

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"Osteo" refers to bone. "Necrosis" is the medical term for dead cells. Osteonecrosis is the death of bone cells. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is the death of some cells in your jawbone. Many people don't think of bone as living, growing tissue but it is.

ONJ can happen on its own or after you have a tooth pulled or have a jaw injury
You may have pain and pus oozing from your mouth
ONJ is treated with antibiotics, mouth rinses, and scraping away the dead bone

Doctors aren't sure why people get osteonecrosis of the jaw. It can happen for no clear reason. But it's more likely after you've had:

A tooth pulled
A jaw injury
Radiation therapy to your head and neck to treat cancer
High IV doses of certain bone medicines called bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are most often taken by mouth to treat thinning bones (osteoporosis). Taking them this way doesn't seem to increase risk of ONJ. However, high doses given by vein may increase risk, particularly if you then have oral surgery.

Usually you'll have:

Pain
Pus in your mouth or jaw area

Your dentist or oral surgeon tell whether you have ONJ based on your symptoms and an exam. There aren't any tests to confirm ONJ.

Before beginning IV bisphosphonate therapy, have a dental examination and get any oral surgery you need done first.

An oral surgeon will treat ONJ with:

Surgery to scrape away the damaged parts of your jaw bone
Antibiotics
Mouth rinses

Doctors don't recommend taking out large areas of damaged bone as it may lead to even worse necrosis.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: Click here for the Professional Version

Click here for the Professional Version

Osteonecrosis

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