The Facts On Osteoporosis and the Risk of Developing Jaw Complications in Dental Patients

This article is a summary of the latest research presented in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA)Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) and a report published by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs containing recommendations for treatment of dental patients who are taking oral bisphosphonates.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis (os-tee-oh-puh-roh-sis) is a disorder of the skeletal system which severely weakens bones and significantly increases the chance of bone fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist. Bone density is decreased by osteoporosis. A person’s bone density is determined by several factors including heredity, hormones, lifestyle, diet, physical activity and certain medications. Also, bone density and bone strength is usually decreased as people age.

Approximately 10 million Americans are affected by osteoporosis, of those, 8 million are women. An additional 34 million are at risk of developing the condition. More women are affected by this disease than cancer, stroke or heart disease combined. Certain prescription drugs called “oral bisphosphonates” (bis-fos-foh-nates) are used to treat these patients including well known brand name medications such as Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva.[1] The table below lists brand name, manufacturer and generic name for both oral and intravenous bisphosphonates.

Osteoporosis And Bone Fractures: Who Is At Risk?

Bone fractures as a result of osteoporosis are serious. Fractures of the spinal column and hip can be life-threatening and are the most common problems associated with osteoporosis.[2] An average of 24 percent of patients 50 years and older with hip fractures die within one year of their injury as reported by National Osteoporosis Foundation. The foudation also reports that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men over the age of 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. Of the patients that experience a hip fracture, 1 in 5 will end up in a nursing home and only 15 percent of these patients are able to walk across a room without help six months after. The risk of hip fractures in women is equal to their combined risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.[1]

Estimates are that bisphosphonates (alendronate) can reduces the risk of hip fractures in patients with osteoporosis by 40 percent. Therefore, this drug could possibly prevent more than 100,000 hip fractures and thousands of deaths each year[3] Obviously, there are risks associated osteoporosis and the benefits of oral bisphosphonate therapy are well documented, patients should never stop taking these medications without thoroughly discussing the benefits and risks with their physician, dentist or Suwanee othodontist.

Bisphosphonates And Osteonecrosis Of The Jaws

Complications of the jaw have been linked to the use of bisphosphonates in the scientific literature.[4-7] These drugs have been associated with the development of osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) which is a serious, but uncommon, condition that causes significant destruction of the jawbones. Osteonecrosis is caused by reduction, obstruction or inhibition of the local blood supply to the bone causing it to die or undergo necrosis. Many patients who take bisphosphonates to treat or prevent osteoporosis have become confused and alarmed by news reports of these associated problems. The majority of reported Bisphosphonate Associated Osteonecrosis (BON) of the jaws cases have occurred in patients with cancer who receive therapy with intravenous bisphosphonates, which absorb differently from oral bisphosphonates. It is important to note, that even though the risk for developing BON remains uncertain, the current scientific literature on cases reported so far, “…a patient’s risk for developing BON is minute with oral bisphosphonate therapy as compared to intravenous bisphosphonate therapy in cancer patients.” [8]

Other Risk Factors and Clinical Symptoms

BON can occur spontaneously, but is more commonly associated with the following medical and dental conditions:

Invasive dental procedures or conditions that increase the risk of for bone trauma like dental extractions.[6-7]

Patients 65 years and older

Periodontists (Gum Disease)

Corticosteroid use for chronic conditions

Prolonged use of bisphosphonates (more than 2 years)

Smoking

Diabetes

Clinical Appearance And Symptoms Of Osteonecrosis Of The Jaws

You should tell your dentist immediately if you have any of the following symptoms, now or in the months following treatment:

Feeling of numbness, heaviness or other sensations in your jaw

Pain in your jaw

Swelling of your jaw

Loose teeth

Drainage

Exposed bone (See image above)

Should I stop taking the oral bisphosphonates?

The benefits of bisphosphonates for the treatment of osteoporosis and its complications are well documented. Research has not shown that stopping use of these drugs will decrease your risk for developing osteonecrosis. You should talk with your physician if you have any questions.

General Recommendations

Routine dental treatment should not generally be modified because of the use of oral biphosphonates (Consult your physician and dentist).

Routine dental examinations are a must. Patients who are prescribed oral bisphosphonates and are not receiving regular dental care would likely benefit from a comprehensive oral examination before or early during their bisphosphonate therapy.

All patients taking oral biphosphonates should be informed that:

Oral bisphosphonate use places them at very low risk for developing BON. The actual incidence is unknown with estimates ranging from zero to 1 one in 2,260 cases for oral bisphosphonate users. The low risk for developing BON may be minimized but not eliminated.

An oral health program consisting of sound oral hygiene practices and regular dental care may be the optimal approach for lowering the risk for developing BON.

There is no validated diagnostic technique currently available to determine if patients are at increased risk for developing BON.

Discontinuing bisphosphonate therapy may not eliminate any risk for developing BON.

Orthodontics

Although there are no documented studies examining the effects of bisphosphonates on orthodontic treatment, some case studies have witnessed inhibited tooth movement in patients taking bisphosphonates.[9-10]

Walton Orthodontics
Suwanee, GA

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