Osteoporosis Medications

When visiting the dentist, every six months, you might notice certain questions that are consistently asked. One of these questions involves a group of medications called bisphosphonates. This group of medication is used in treating osteoporosis, or decreased density of bone tissue. These are very effective in helping to prolong the strength of weight bearing bones in the legs and hips. Osteoporosis makes these bones more likely to break. Breaking a bone is bad business and can have lasting effects. But breaking the bone of an osteoporotic spine or hip is more serious and can be life threatening. So, these medications are really important.

In some instances there have been reports of a condition called Bisphosphonate-associated Osteonecrosis (BON) of the jaw. This condition is seen in patients taking this type of medication. It is not very common but can be very serious. In almost all cases it is seen in patients taking this medication through an IV, while being treated for cancer. A very small percentage of cases were seen in patients taking the medication by mouth.

Here is a list of medications that are bisphosphonates: alendronate, ibandronate, risendronate and zoledronic acid. If you have had any history of taking any of these medications please inform your dentists. Dental procedures that involve any type of trauma to the bone can result in an increased risk of developing this condition. These include tooth extractions and any type of bone contouring. All other dental procedures are benign relating to this condition.

This definition of BON is taken from the Journal of the American Dental Association, volume 140, page 812.

BON is diagnosed in a patient who:

-has an area of exposed bone that persists for more than eight weeks;

-has no history of receiving radiation therapy to the head or neck;

-is taking, or has taken, a bisphosphonate.

For more information please see the link below.

http://www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/patient_84.pdf