Which of the following are symptoms commonly seen in osteonecrosis?

• A. Jaw pain, swelling and infection, loosening of teeth, drainage and exposed bone
• B. Canker sores
• C. Enamel discoloration
• D. Halitosis

Answer: (A)

Osteonecrosis involves death of bone tissue due to a disrupted blood supply, which in the jaw is often linked to certain medications or radiation therapy. When this process happens in the jaw, the necrotic bone and the surrounding tissues trigger a local inflammatory and infectious response. This leads to symptoms such as jaw pain and swelling, infection, loosening of teeth, drainage, and exposed bone. The exposed bone is a telling sign that the bone itself has become necrotic and is no longer covered by healthy tissue.

Canker sores are mucosal ulcers, not bone-related, so they don’t reflect osteonecrosis. Enamel discoloration is a surface issue of the tooth enamel and doesn’t indicate bone death. Halitosis can occur with various dental problems or infections but isn’t specific to osteonecrosis.