Information
about Dental Problems with the Bone Drugs.
Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis
(BON) is a serious oral complication of bisphosphonate treatment,
also commonly called Fossyjaw (after Fosomax).
When you mention it to your doctor as he prescribes your bisphosphonate
drug, Actonel, Fosomax or Boniva, he will probably say, "Don't
worry about that, it's one in a million."
According to a study published by JADC,
(Canadian Dental Association Journal) the incidence of BON
from intravenous bisphosphonate therapy has been estimated to
range from 0.8% to 12%.3 However, with increased recognition of
the condition, longer exposure to bisphosphonates and more follow-up,
the reported incidence of BON is likely to increase.
"In patients at risk
for BON, osteomyelitis and osteonecrosis may occur following dental
procedures. The effects of bisphosphonates seem to persist
for prolonged periods, and this could explain why osteonecrosis
appears after long-term treatment and even in cases in which bisphosphonate
treatment has been discontinued. Among patients taking oral bisphosphonates,
the major risk factor is continuous bisphosphonate treatment for
more than 3 years. Other risk factors include corticosteroid therapy,
diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, poor oral hygiene. Bisphosphonate
exposure seems to render the bones of the jaws unable to respond
to the stresses of infection or seemingly minor surgical trauma."
So if you have had a jaw infection or taken estrogen
or any cortisone, even prescription skin creams for eczema, at
the same time you took these biophosphonates that increases your
risk more.
Although the danger is more
severe for women who had intravenous bisphosphonates because of
cancer, the frequency of BON in patients receiving oral bisphosphonate
treatment for osteoporosis was 1 in 2,260. When
extractions were performed on these patients, the frequency of
BON was 1 in 296. Not quite the same as 1 in a million, is it?
"The management of
BON of the jaws presents a challenge to dentists as there is no
effective treatment for this condition at this time."
Dentists are getting stuck with the problems from this drug therapy.
"Special attention should be given to all patients
on bisphosphonate therapy due to their defective osteoclast function
and local tissue vascularity, leading to impaired wound healing.
These patients should receive maximum attention to prevent dental
problems and maintain their oral health. Preventive measures must
be instituted before,during and after the treatment of patients
taking bis- phosphonates. Dentists should consider referring these
patients to a specialist for even the simplest necessary extraction
or other dental surgical procedures to manage the serious adverse
effects that may arise from oral surgery."
The study quoted above was
done in Australia where the drug companies can't suppress research
as they do here in the US. However it has been totally
ignored by the US health media. This information was relayed to
me by a weight vest customer who developed jaw problems after
just 10 months on the bone drugs. Here is her experience in her
own words:
After my specialist realized what Actonel does he
contacted my dentist and told him he wouldn't do the surgery to
save my tooth. He is an endontest-a dentist who specializes in
fixing failing crowns and root canals. He said I would need an
extraction. I have 3 other root canals and crowns that are also
18 yrs old and will not last forever since the average lifespan
of a crown and root canal is 15 yrs.
I only took Actonel for
10-11 mos. I was sent to an oral surgeon who told me since I had
taken Actonel for less than 3 yrs my risk of jaw necrosis was
much less but still there. Oral surgery after taking any of the
biophosphate drugs is one of the prime initiaters of jaw necrosis.
Do your readers know that
even after stopping these drugs they still stay in your jaw and
bones for over 10 yrs and increase your risk for jaw necrosis
if you need oral surgery of any sort for the next 10 yrs or more
after? Also after a few yrs of use they turn your bones
brittle and that can cause spontaneous fractures? And if you break
a bone by trauma, or spontaneously, that you run the risk of it
not being able to heal?
The oral surgeon I saw was the top specialist in
my area -I was referred to him becuse my extraction is a complicated
one. He told me these facts as he has several patients who have
all developed the same problems with these drugs. Again please
pass this information on to your readers -I certainly wish I had
never taken these class of drugs even for only 10 mos.
Dulcy Huard
So, bottom line - anyone
who has taken bisphosphonate drugs for any time at all should
not plan on any major dental work. You are also in extra
danger of bone damage if you take cortisone or hormones for any
reason along with the drugs.
Does that cover most women over 50? Our teeth aren't getting any
younger. And those root canals and caps that we had in our twenties
and thirties are getting older as well.
When you get this problem
there is NO SOLUTION!
But there are plenty of solutions for thinning bones as my weight
vest testimonials will tell you. Be smart, stay away from the
drugs. A class action suit doesn't help when you have no jaw to
eat with.
Thanks to Dulcy for sharing this information and
best wishes for her recovery.
Link to complete report - click
here. If the link dies I have a copy on my hard-drive.
Disclaimer: Nothing on this
site is to be construed as medical advice. I am not a medical
practitioner and have no ability to diagnose or treat disease.
This site is intended for informational purposes only. Everyone
should make their own health decisions after getting all the information
they need.
NC 2007-2010 Healthy Over 50
Inc
Information for Alternative Osteopenia and Osteoporosis
Solutions
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