Adjuvant therapies in the management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: Systematic review

Abstract

Background: We investigated the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), low-intensity laser (LIL), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ). Methods: A literature search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Two examiners independently assessed eligibility and risk of bias and extracted data. Results: There was improvement in 75.6% of the 41 patients submitted to HBO, with positive effects on pain relief and decreased size and number of lesions at a faster rate, with better effects when the drug was discontinued. For LIL, 158 (64.2%) of the 246 patients/sites improved the symptoms and 98 (39.8%) healed completely. Fourteen (17.3%) of the 81 patients treated with PRP significantly improved the symptoms and 65 (80.2%) completely healed. Conclusions: These therapies served as safe and effective adjuvant modalities for MRONJ treatment. The lack of randomized clinical trials evidences the need for more high-quality investigations on the subject.