Re: Jaw Necrosis from taking Actonel

Derek Lawler wrote:
A periodontist recommended that I have the innermost left lower molar
removed because of infection and bone loss. When I went in to have the
extraction done the oral surgeon looked at my record and saw that I was
taking Actonel. He told me he had seen two cases of jaw necrosis due to
patients taking biphosphonates and wanted me to wait and think about it
before he would extract the tooth.
I would like to know if anyone has had this experience with Actonel or other
biphosphonates and their teeth. Thanks in advance for any thing you can
tell me about this or your own experiences with such a problem.

Nancy




This is a big and growing problem in dentistry. I would not second-guess the oral surgeon. At this point though the incidence of osteonecrosis in patients taking oral bisphosphonates such as Actonel or Fosamax is far lower than the risk for patients taking injectable bisphosphonates such as Boniva or Zometa.
It's not fair IMO to leave you hanging to "think about it". He should get together with the periodontist and discuss the relative risks as he sees them for extraction vs. retention of the tooth. Then the three of you can make an informed choice.
As this is a developing issue, there is no one right answer.

Steve
.

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