Q: I have to visit the dentist tomorrow; I have a tooth that is tender. After reading what you and others say about Fosamax and problems with the jaw, I am nervous. How extensive does dental work need to be to cause these problems? I am talking cavity or root canal (hopefully not), do I have to be concerned about that? Also are most dentists aware of this problem or will he perhaps tell me not to worry.
A: To answer your question, you should notify your dentist that you’re taking Fosamax, because if you do need a root canal, he will be extra careful. Most dentists, and especially maxillofacial surgeons who have conducted their own studies about ONJ, are aware of bisphosphonates and potential jaw problems.
If you only need a cavity filled, it should be no issues. A root canal would be a little more delicate, and I would urge you to discuss it with your dentist. In some cases, he may recommend stopping the Fosamax so the free-flowing chemical may be excreted via the urine. It takes about 3 months for that to happen (give or take.)
But please don’t get alarmed: just about all the cases of osteonecrosis have been reported with very high doses of intravenous bisphophonates, mostly the drug Zometa that’s prescribed for bone cancer.
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August 18, 2011
I’ve been taking fosamax for two years. I recently had a crown fall off, so I had to get it replaced, it was very painful afterwards, so dentist recomended a root canal. Had one done. However, one day I was eating an apple and my jaw hurt to open my mouth to bite into the apple. I’ve also noticed pain on my jaw lately if I chew gum, or eat nuts on that side. Pain on my jaw is just below my ear. Could this be something of concern?
August 19, 2011
Hi Elsa, I’m sorry, but there’s no way to know what’s causing the issues in your individual case. Please check with your dentist and let him or her know what’s going on.
August 18, 2010
I recently received the Osteoporosis drug Reclast. Shortly after this I had my teeth cleaned at my dentist. They always ask about what drugs that I take so I told them I had received Reclast. They had me sign a statement that I had received a bisphosphonate and gave me a copy showing how it affects your teeth (which I immediately lost before I had a chance to read it). My Dental Hygienist said something about the calcium buildup from bisphosphonates in the teeth does not produce blood vessels like you normally have in your teeth and in case of infection it is harder to treat because of this. Do you have any comment to this?
July 31, 2009
why do doctors prescribe fosamax when it has so many bad side effects? I researched about the the effects of this drug and realised there was a reason why I did not take even one of these tablets. I don’t fancy having the potential for oesophageal ulcers and gastric bleeds and bone plain and the like. I would suggest that anyone who is prescribed fasamax needs to seriously research about this ‘nasty drug’!