Does BRONJ prohibit orthodontics? And, NBI sheds light on leukoplakia

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) has been a topic of much discussion in dentistry, but the altered bone metabolism that can result from taking this medication and its effect on orthodontic treatment remain unclear.

Now a new study in Head & Face Medicine has found that while orthodontic tooth movement under bisphosphonate medication is possible, especially in low-risk patients, the treatment is still not predictable.

Meanwhile, in honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we talked with Nancy Leupold, a New Jersey woman who founded Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer some 20 years ago after she was diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma. She discussed how the disease still affects her life and the many ways her organization helps oral and head/neck cancer patients all over the U.S. Read more.

Finally, endoscopic narrow-band imaging (NBI) is more effective than broadband white light imaging in detecting high-grade dysplasia and carcinomatous lesions in oral leukoplakia, according to a new study in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. Click here to read details in this latest Imaging & CAD/CAM Community feature.