Bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a review.

Bisphosphonate use has increased in veterinary medicine over the last decade. During this time, bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) in human patients has been identified. Only recently was a dog model for BRONJ developed for human oral surgery and medicine. Veterinary patients treated with bisphosphonates may be at an increased risk for BRONJ There has been little, to no, investigation of potential long term side-effects of bisphosphonate use in veterinary patients; potential sequelae are unknown. The history of bisphosphonates, their use, and BRONJ in veterinary patients are discussed.