September's Theme - Osteonecrosis of the Jaw and Bisphosphonates

Your osteoporosis medication may cause severe sores in your mouth that never heal.
If you or someone you know has received treatment for cancer or osteoporosis, then pay careful attention to the information in this article.

Bisphosphonates
Drug ----------Brand Name
etidronate ------------Didronel
alendronate ----------Fosamax
pamidronate -----------Aredia
zoledronate -----------Zometa
risedronate -----------Actonel
ibandronate -----------Boniva

Bisphosphonates , a common medication for cancer or osteoporosis, can be delivered directly into your blood stream or in a pill form. Many pharmaceutical companies sell it, so their names vary. See the table for a list. Bisphosphonates are an important medication used to prevent cancer from spreading to the bone and to prevent weak bones due to osteoporosis. Even a single dose of this medication can stay in your body for years.

A significant side effect of bisphosphonates includes osteonecrosis of the jaw, which is dead bone in the jaw. Signs and symptoms include pain, swelling and redness in the gums next to the bony sore. Because an area of the bone dies, the gums do not cover it anymore and fall off the bone. An open wound of exposed bone persists and never heals. This open wound in the mouth is started from dental surgery, such as a tooth extraction. Photos of this condition are too graphic for public consumption to be included in this newsletter, but can be found easily on the internet.

Treatment focuses mainly on relieving symptoms. So far the best action to take is to maintain a healthy mouth to avoid oral surgery. That would include seeing your dentist regularly, avoid elective oral surgery, and keep up on dental treatment. Gum disease, cracked teeth, and tooth decay, if left untreated, can lead to surgery. Simple precautions while being treated for serious conditions like cancer and osteoporosis can greatly increase your quality of life.