Oral Surgery · single question

A patient taking oral bisphosphonates needs a non-restorable tooth managed. To reduce the risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), the preferred approach is to:

Avoid extraction—do root canal therapy, decoronate/coronectomy, and restore the crown, leaving roots in place
Perform a routine full extraction immediately
Place an implant the same day
Do nothing and observe indefinitely

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Avoid extraction—do root canal therapy, decoronate/coronectomy, and restore the crown, leaving roots in place

A. Correct. Bony surgery (extraction) raises MRONJ risk; endodontic treatment with coronectomy/decoronation and restoration avoids exposing/removing bone.
B. Routine extraction is the higher-risk option to avoid when alternatives exist.
C. Immediate implant surgery adds bony trauma and risk.
D. Leaving an infected/non-restorable tooth untreated is also harmful.

More Oral Surgery practice questions