Better understanding of local bisphosphonate
Giving a bisphosphonate drug locally around a dental implant, instead of systemically, totally omitted the problem with osteonecrosis of the jaw, even when provoked by complementary medication.
The research group of Addbio co-founder professor Aspenberg continues to increase the understanding of how local administration of bisphosphonate drugs works. In a recent paper (Abtahi 2012) they have contributed significantly to the understanding of how a locally delivered such drug behaves differently with respect to side-effects. (Abstract on PubMed) In short, laboratory rats had teeth extracted and replaced by dental implants, metal screws. All rats given a systemic dose of bisphosphonate and an immunosuppressive drug (dexamethasone) experienced osteonecrosis, and the implants came loose. On the contrary, the group given the dexamethasone, and then the bisphosphonate locally around the screw rather than systemically, experienced that none of the implants loosened. In these rats, the implant stability was significantly improved, even when compared to control groups.
The article again demonstrates how a local dose of a bisphosphonate significantly improves the biomechanical performance and functional outcome of a dental implant.