It’s crucial to inform your dentist of all the drugs you take since some of them may affect the decisions you make regarding dental care.

Antiresorptive agents, or drugs that help build stronger bones, have been linked to osteonecrosis (OSS-tee-oh-ne-KRO-sis) of the jaw (ONJ), an uncommon but dangerous disorder that may seriously harm the jawbone.

Some bone-strengthening medications, such Actonel, Atelvia, Didronel, Boniva, and Fosamax, are used orally to help prevent or cure osteoporosis, or bone weakening, and Paget’s disease, which is characterized by aberrant bone regeneration and breakdown that can cause deformity. Others are given via injection, such Prolia, Reclast, or Boniva IV. As part of cancer treatment, these drugs are administered at higher and more frequent dosages to lessen bone pain and hypercalcemia of malignancy, which is defined as unusually high blood calcium levels linked to multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and metastatic breast cancer.

What impact do these drugs have on dental treatment regimens?

Although jaw osteonecrosis can happen on its own, it usually happens after dental operations that damage the bone or related tissues (such extracting a tooth). If you take any drugs for bone health, let your dentist know so they may consider it when creating your treatment plan.

It is impossible to predict who will or won’t get osteonecrosis. More than 90% of patients with ONJ linked to these drugs are cancer patients who are currently getting or have previously received substantial dosages of antiresorptive drugs via infusion. The dosages of these drugs used to treat osteoporosis were much lower for the other 10% of patients (those with ONJ). Anyone using antiresorptive medication for osteoporosis may find it helpful to consult their dentist either before or soon after commencing therapy. In this manner, you and your dentist can make sure that your mouth is in good condition before beginning treatment and create a strategy that will maintain it throughout.

Maintain your routine dental checkups.

You usually do not have to skip or put off dental care if you are on antiresorptive medications to treat osteoporosis. There is extremely little chance of developing jaw osteonecrosis. Conversely, if left untreated, dental disease can worsen and could even affect the bone and surrounding tissues, which raises the possibility that you will require more intrusive treatment. If at all feasible, patients receiving antiresorptive medications for cancer therapy should refrain from invasive dental procedures. In order to cure any oral diseases, these individuals should ideally undergo a dental checkup prior to starting antiresorptive medication therapy. Inform your dentist that you plan to begin taking these medications as part of your treatment. Similarly, inform your doctor if you have had dental work done recently.

Consult your doctor before stopping any drugs.

Patients are typically advised to continue taking their osteoporosis drugs. Compared to osteonecrosis, there is a greater chance of bone weakening and potential fracture.

Before stopping any medicine, see your doctor.

The following are only a few signs of osteonecrosis of the jaw:

• Gum or jaw discomfort, swelling, or infection
• Gums that are not mending after injury or recent treatment
• teeth that are loose
• numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw
• Bone exposed

If you have any of these symptoms following dental treatment, get in touch with your dentist, general practitioner, or oncologist immediately.

“Oral Health and Osteoporosis.” Dental Health

Osteoporosis and Oral Health: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/o/