Osteoporosis is a disease that affects bone and causes it to become weaker and at risk of fracture. This disease affects tens of millions of people worldwide. Orally ingested bisphosphonates are used commonly to treat this condition and prevent its complications, some widely known oral bisphosphonates include: Fosomax, Boniva, and Actonel.
These drugs and other similar ones contribute significantly to reducing the risk of bone fracture in patients with osteoporosis. Many of these fractures can be serious and life-threatening.
As with almost all other drugs, there are side effects and complications, one rare complication is osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ). It is a serious problem that results in the death of bone cells in the jaws and a significant degree of destruction of the jawbones. This condition usually follows certain dental procedures performed on patients taking bisphosphonates, mainly teeth extractions. Rare cases were reported where the condition developed spontaneously.
Several scientific studies were published about this issue, with various opinions and findings about the exact risk of developing ONJ associated with oral bisphosphonates. Most studies indicated a very low risk, and recently a study done in USC indicated a much higher risk of 4%.
The bottom line is more information is needed and more research needs to be done to figure out the exact risk of developing this condition and how to prevent and/or treat it. In the meantime if you are oral bisphosphonates do not stop taking them on your own, remember that they play a very major role in preventing serious bone fractures that could proof lethal or disabling. Make sure that your dentist knows you are on oral bisphosphonates, and have a discussion with both your dentist and primary care physician about the benefits and risks of oral bisphosphonates.
One last piece of advice, one of the best ways to avoid these potentially serious complications is to avoid the need to extract teeth in the first place by following a consistent, strong, and regular dental and oral care program, with proper oral hygiene care at home and regular professional dental care by your dentist. Ask your dentist about the benefits of preventive dentistry, there is a wide array of preventive measures and dental treatments available these days that can help prevent dental caries and gum disease.
These drugs and other similar ones contribute significantly to reducing the risk of bone fracture in patients with osteoporosis. Many of these fractures can be serious and life-threatening.
As with almost all other drugs, there are side effects and complications, one rare complication is osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ). It is a serious problem that results in the death of bone cells in the jaws and a significant degree of destruction of the jawbones. This condition usually follows certain dental procedures performed on patients taking bisphosphonates, mainly teeth extractions. Rare cases were reported where the condition developed spontaneously.
Several scientific studies were published about this issue, with various opinions and findings about the exact risk of developing ONJ associated with oral bisphosphonates. Most studies indicated a very low risk, and recently a study done in USC indicated a much higher risk of 4%.
The bottom line is more information is needed and more research needs to be done to figure out the exact risk of developing this condition and how to prevent and/or treat it. In the meantime if you are oral bisphosphonates do not stop taking them on your own, remember that they play a very major role in preventing serious bone fractures that could proof lethal or disabling. Make sure that your dentist knows you are on oral bisphosphonates, and have a discussion with both your dentist and primary care physician about the benefits and risks of oral bisphosphonates.
One last piece of advice, one of the best ways to avoid these potentially serious complications is to avoid the need to extract teeth in the first place by following a consistent, strong, and regular dental and oral care program, with proper oral hygiene care at home and regular professional dental care by your dentist. Ask your dentist about the benefits of preventive dentistry, there is a wide array of preventive measures and dental treatments available these days that can help prevent dental caries and gum disease.
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