Role of DC Before Antiresorptive Therapy in MRONJ Frequency in the Pediatric Population

Background: The risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) has been well-documented in the adult population, but is less well understood in the pediatric patient (PP) who may be treated with antiresorptive medication (AM) for conditions, such as osteogenesis imperfecta, juvenile osteoporosis, bone cysts or tumors, and cancer-related bone diseases. In the adult patient, the incidence of MRONJ has been reduced when dental clearance (DC) has been provided prior to the initiation of AM. Objective: To determine if there is a difference in the frequency of MRONJ between PPs who obtained DC and those who did not obtain DC before the start of AM. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: Data analysis was done on a population of patients aged ≤18 years at the start of AM who were treated at 1 center between 2010 and 2014 with a follow-up of >6 months. Groups were categorized into DC (dental examination ≤1 month prior to antiresorptive treatment) and no-DC (NDC) grou more...