OBJECTIVES: Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BONJ) is a complication of long-term bisphosphonate (BP) use. Given the beneficial effects of BP on bone quality in patients with cancer or osteoporosis, it is of great importance to review the risk as it relates to time-to-event or the cumulative dose until the onset of the disease. METHODS: Here, we report on a review of 71 case series published since 2003. We calculated the weighted means of time to event, as well as the minimum reported time and dose for zoledronate, pamidronate, and oral bisphosphonates. RESULTS: The mean time to BONJ after zoledronate treatment was calculated at 1.8 years and the minimum was 10 months; after pamidronate the mean time was 2.8 years and the minimum was 18 months; and after oral BP therapy the mean time was 4.6 years and the minimum was 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: Zoledronic acid seems to be the most potent among the N-containing BPs. Factors that seem to affect BONJ and time to event were invasive dental procedures, and other comorbid factors such as increased age, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, use of corticosteroids, Vitamin D deficiency, and more. Understanding the pathophysiology of the disease requires further research.