Dental extractions were once thought to be a simple and fairly painless procedure but not necessarily so today for people being prescribed bisphosphonates for bone mineral density loss and osteoporosis (Fosamax, Boniva) and bone cancer (Aredia).For a small number of patients taking bisphosphonates, tooth extractions or irritation from dentures may lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw which causes exposure to the jawbone followed by infection and death of affected bone. It is indeed a rare of terminally painful bisphosphonate side effect.
Jawbone pain cannot be relieved by traditional painkillers. Other jawbone bisphosphonate side effects include loosening of teeth and loss of dental implants, bad breath, infections to the face and neck, headaches and difficulty eating. In severe cases, patients may experience difficulty breathing or require a feeding tube to avoid malnutrition. Currently, there is no effective treatment for jawbone death.
Bisphosphonate News from Australia
