Compounds that inhibit the activity of NF-.kappa.B or inhibit the activity of the proteasome or both promote bone formation and are thus useful in treating osteoporosis, bone fracture or deficiency, primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism, periodontal disease or defect, metastatic bone disease, osteolytic bone disease, post-plastic surgery, post-prosthetic joint surgery, and post-dental implantation.