Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw As A Result Of Fosamax Use
Generically known as alendronate sodium, Fosamax is a popular drug that belongs to the group of biphosphonates and is known as a treatment for osteoporosis and other diseases related to bone mineral density problems. Currently, this drug is facing big issues as it has been found out to cause osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). This has made a New York dentist to addressed questions about Fosamax and dental health in a leading newspaper.
This severe bone condition, the osteonecrosis of the jaw, involves, both the upper (maxilla)and the lower part (mandible) of the jaw. The impedance of the supply of blood or ischemia to a certain bone tissue, results in a damage which may eventually lead to the death on the areas of the jaw bone. By and large, it the dentists who first detect ONJ after a dental surgical procedure such as tooth extraction.
What was previously known to the public, the risk for osteonecrosis of the jaw as a result of Fosamax or other biphosphonate consumption is quite small and trifling. However, a study published on the Journal of the American Dental Association described a significant risk, about 4%, of osteonecrosis of the jaw even from oral use of Fosamax.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw may occur without any symptoms but it may also present signs of loose teeth and exposed bone. Patient may also feel pain on the jaw or gum with or without swelling or infection and dramatic gum loss. However, the most definitive sign of the osteonecrosis of the jaw is the exposure of mandibular and/or maxillary bone through lesions in the gingival area that do not heal.
It would vary on what are the etiology or the cause of the disease as well as the exigency how ONJ is treated. Medical management of the biphosphonate-related ONJ is comprises oral antimicrobial cleanses, systemic anti-infectives, systemic and topical antifungals, withdrawal from the biphosphonate therapy and refraining from any dental operations.
Unfortunately for the patients with ONJ associated with biphosphonates like Fosamax, the response to surgical intervention is relatively poor due to the impaired ability of the bone to heal. Sagacious debridement, pain medication and other nonsurgical methods are more preferred means to treat this type of ONJ rather than the more intrusive surgical interventions. It is essential to diagnose and treat ONJ at an early stage to let alone the irreversible bone collapse that may result in the facial deformity of the patient.
As alarming as it may seem, halting your Fosamax therapy needs the knowledge of your doctor before doing so. Moreover, the drug is also known to cause other adverse effects such as Fosamax femur fractures.
This severe bone condition, the osteonecrosis of the jaw, involves, both the upper (maxilla)and the lower part (mandible) of the jaw. The impedance of the supply of blood or ischemia to a certain bone tissue, results in a damage which may eventually lead to the death on the areas of the jaw bone. By and large, it the dentists who first detect ONJ after a dental surgical procedure such as tooth extraction.
What was previously known to the public, the risk for osteonecrosis of the jaw as a result of Fosamax or other biphosphonate consumption is quite small and trifling. However, a study published on the Journal of the American Dental Association described a significant risk, about 4%, of osteonecrosis of the jaw even from oral use of Fosamax.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw may occur without any symptoms but it may also present signs of loose teeth and exposed bone. Patient may also feel pain on the jaw or gum with or without swelling or infection and dramatic gum loss. However, the most definitive sign of the osteonecrosis of the jaw is the exposure of mandibular and/or maxillary bone through lesions in the gingival area that do not heal.
It would vary on what are the etiology or the cause of the disease as well as the exigency how ONJ is treated. Medical management of the biphosphonate-related ONJ is comprises oral antimicrobial cleanses, systemic anti-infectives, systemic and topical antifungals, withdrawal from the biphosphonate therapy and refraining from any dental operations.
Unfortunately for the patients with ONJ associated with biphosphonates like Fosamax, the response to surgical intervention is relatively poor due to the impaired ability of the bone to heal. Sagacious debridement, pain medication and other nonsurgical methods are more preferred means to treat this type of ONJ rather than the more intrusive surgical interventions. It is essential to diagnose and treat ONJ at an early stage to let alone the irreversible bone collapse that may result in the facial deformity of the patient.
As alarming as it may seem, halting your Fosamax therapy needs the knowledge of your doctor before doing so. Moreover, the drug is also known to cause other adverse effects such as Fosamax femur fractures.
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