Denosumab, an Alternative to Bisphosphonates but also Associated with Osteonecrosis of the Jaw--What is the Risk?

Most dental professionals will have, or will soon, encounter patients prescribed this novel alternative antiresorptive drug to bisphosphonates, denosumab (Prolia®, Xgeva®). Denosumab is licensed in the UK for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women and the prevention of skeletal-related events (SRE) in adults with bone metastases. The presence of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients receiving non-bisphosphonate antiresorptives has led to the introduction of the term antiresorptive-related osteonecrosis of the jaw or ARONJ. This paper discusses the basic physiology of bone remodelling, the pharmacology of bisphosphonates and denosumab, and the risk of ARONJ. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: What is the potential risk of ARONJ arising from dental treatment that we should be advising for our patients?