Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a rare condition with many different causes. About 95% of cases of osteonecrosis could be attributed to high-dose, IV administered bisphosphonate therapy in cancer patients, while the remaining 5% were attributed to low-dose bisphosphonate therapy used for patients with osteoporosis. Osteonecrosis of the jaw is defined as an area of bone that is exposed to air, causing damage, and does not heal on its own within 8 weeks. It is not well understood how bisphosphonate therapy contributes to osteonecrosis of the jaw, because osteonecrosis can also occur in people who are not taking bisphosphonates. However, bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis (BON) can be clinically diagnosed in patients who have had an exposed area of bone in the maxillofacial area that has not healed within 8 weeks and who are currently taking bisphosphonates and are not receiving radiation. Also, other causes must be excluded, like periodontal disease and trauma.