Risto Kontio & Hanna Välimaa: Prevention of MRONJ – Consider risk factors: what the current literature says

This expert clinical lecture by Risto Kontio and Hanna Välimaa focuses on the contemporary understanding of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) — a serious adverse condition affecting patients taking antiresorptive and anti-angiogenic medications. With its complex and not fully understood pathophysiology, MRONJ poses a significant challenge for clinicians worldwide due to its unpredictable onset and potential for pain, impaired healing, and functional compromise in the jawbone. The session synthesizes current evidence from the literature on risk factors associated with the development and prevention of MRONJ, providing a state-of-the-art overview of what clinicians need to consider when assessing patients at risk.

Key themes include the identification and interpretation of systemic and local risk factors — such as long-term antiresorptive therapy, invasive dental procedures, dental infection, corticosteroid use, and cancer-related treatment — and how these factors influence clinical decision-making aimed at preventing MRONJ. The talk equips attendees with an evidence-informed framework to enhance patient evaluation, risk stratification, and communication with multidisciplinary care teams to reduce the incidence of this challenging condition.

THE VIDEO IS NOW AVAILABLE ON DEMAND

SPEAKER: Risto Kontio MD DDS PhD Prof adj. Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University & Hanna Välimaa, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital. 

Hanna Välimaa (also listed professionally as Hannamari Välimaa) is a specialist in clinical microbiology and oral microbiology with academic and clinical roles at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital, and the University of Helsinki in Finland. She holds advanced qualifications including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and PhD, and her work spans oral infectious diseases, microbiology, and virology, as well as their relevance to dental and surgical care. In the MRONJ session with Risto Kontio, Dr. Välimaa contributed her expertise on risk factors and prevention strategies related to jaw osteonecrosis associated with medications — drawing on evidence from current literature and clinical microbiological perspectives.

MODERATORS/PANELIST: Dr. Maria Troulis, Professor of OMFS, Harvard University & Dr. Sabine Girod, Professor (em.) of SURGERY/OMFS, Stanford University

ONLINE LIVE EVENT - Discussion in Spanish &  English

DATE & START TIMES:  

San Francisco: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 8:00 am

Toronto: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 11:00 am

Rio de Janeiro: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm

London: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 4:00 pm

Berlin: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 5:00 pm

Johannesburg: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 6:00 pm

Dubai: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 8:00 pm

Riyadh: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 7:00 pm

Islamabad: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 9:00 pm

New Delhi: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 9:30 pm

Taipei: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 12:00 midnight

Mexico City: Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:00 am

LANGUAGE: The event language is English.

DECLARATION : In accordance with criterion 13 of document UEMS 2023.07.rev “EACCME® Criteria for the Accreditation of Live Educational Events (LEEs)” and the Standard v. Commercial or Promotional Conflict of Interest, published by the American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP), all surgeON presenters sign a Conflict of Interest form to document all perceived or actual conflicts of interest for the last 3 years, whether due to a financial or other relationship. This document can be viewed at the beginning of the event or on request by emailing info@surgeon-events.org No fee, honorarium or arrangement for re-imbursement of expenses in relation to the this event has been provided to the speaker.