What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatment modalities for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).
What They Found
They identified 13 studies and found that surgical treatment was associated with higher odds of complete resolution (odds ratio, 3.55; 95% CI, 1.12 to 11.19) compared to medical treatment with local or systemic antimicrobials. The effectiveness of other therapies, such as bisphosphonate drug holidays, teriparatide, and hyperbaric oxygen, was uncertain.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients experiencing MRONJ, surgical intervention may offer a more effective path to complete resolution than medical management alone. Patients should discuss these findings with their healthcare providers to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy.
Canadian Relevance
This study does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The included studies had a medium-to-high risk of bias, were of medium to low quality, and had medium-to-low statistical power, limiting the certainty of the findings.