Category: B

A complication characterized by exposed necrotic bone in the maxillofacial region that does not heal within 8 weeks after diagnosis and proper care, in a patient under current or previous bisphosphonate treatment and who has not received radiation in the head and neck area. Risk factors include route of administration (intravenous versus oral), duration of…

Diphosphonate. Group of drugs used to manage osteoporosis and Paget’s disease, or to treat hypercalcemia of malignancy or metastatic bone lesions. Its mechanism of action involves the suppression of osteoclasts, thereby reducing bone resorption. Two main groups exist: nitrogen containing and nonnitrogen containing, with subgroups of either oral or intravenous administration.  

Alloplastic bone substitute consisting of 60% hydroxyapatite and 40% beta‐tricalcium phosphate used in intraoral grafting procedures. The granules are 90% porous and with interconnected pores of 100–500 microns.  

The science of the application of statistical methods to biologic facts, as the mathematical analysis of biologic data. The application of statistics to biology. A specialized area of community health that is concerned with the application of statistical procedures, techniques, and methodologies to investigate health problems and programs. Statistics used in medicine and the study…

Solid polymeric material that shows bulk degradation and further resorbs in vivo, resulting in total elimination of the initial foreign material. Compare: Resorbable.  

The capacity to become lyzed or assimilated in vivo.  

The removal and examination, usually microscopic, of tissue for the purpose of establishing a histopathological diagnosis. Removal and pathologic examination of specimens in the form of small pieces of tissue from the living body. The removal of a small piece of living tissue for further diagnostic testing, which is commonly done to look for cancer.…

Bisphosphonate‐induced osteonecrosis of the jaw.  

Formation or accumulation of minerals into biologic tissues such as bone and teeth. The process of biologic mineralization is not completely understood. Interstitial fluids are supersaturated with mineral hydroxyapatite, and calcium binding proteins such as osteocalcin are deposited and may play a role in the formation of crystal nuclei.