Case series of 589 tooth extractions in patients under bisphosphonates therapy. Proposal of a clinical protocol supported by Nd: YAG low-level laser therapy

Objective: Trauma during dental surgery is a predisposing factor for bisphosphonates (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). However, about 40% of cases of BRONJ are not related to dental invasive procedures, being probably associated to endodontic or periodontal infections. Extraction of non-treatable teeth is considered a reliable choice, to improve symptoms and to reduce the risk of BRONJ. Here we report our experience of tooth extractions in patients under oral or intravenous BP therapy. Study Design: Two-hundred and seventeen patients (38 males, 179 females; mean age 68.72 +/- 11.26 years, range 30 to 83 years) under BP therapy received 589 tooth extractions at the Unit of Oral Medicine, Pathology and Laser-assisted Surgery of the University of Parma, Italy, between June 2006 and December 2010. Ninety five patients were under BP therapy for oncological disease (multiple myeloma (MM): 23; bone metastases (BM): 72) and 122 patients for non oncological diseases: 119 osteoporosis (OP), 2 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 1 Paget's disease (PD). The mean duration of BP was of 35 months. Antibiotic treatment was administered three days before and 2 weeks after tooth extractions. Patients were additionally treated with low level laser therapy (LLLT) through Nd: YAG laser (1064 nm-power 1.25 W; frequency 15 Hz; fibre diameter: 320 mu m), 5 application of 1 minute each. Patients were evaluated 3 days and once a week for 2 months after the extractions and every time they received LLLT. Mean follow-up was 15 months (ranging from 4 to 31 months). Results: In a total of 589 extractions (285 mandibular, 304 maxillary) performed, a minimal bone exposure was observed in 5 cases, treated with Er: YAG laser vaporization and than healed. Conclusions: Our experience supports the hypothesis that the association of antibiotic treatment and LLLT can be effective in preventing ONJ after tooth extractions in patients under BPT.