Dentists issue warning on bone density drugs

PATIENTS given drugs to treat cancer and other bone-weakening diseases are at an increased risk of developing serious jawbone complications, dentists have warned.

Many patients in Ireland are treated with bisphosphonates and the Irish Dental Association is advising that prevention of a condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw is vital.

In particular, patients are urged to have any dental treatment carried out before starting the therapy as dental surgery exacerbates osteonecrosis of the jaw.

Signs of osteonecrosis of the jaw include exposed bone; pain, swelling or infection of gums; loosening of teeth; poor healing of gums and numbness or feeling of heaviness in the jaw.

Dentists point out that the condition might develop spontaneously or could be linked to surgical procedures carried out on the jaws, including tooth extraction, periodontal surgery or implant placement.

A study led by consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Mr Gerard Kearns, found that almost 20% of patients treated with intravenous bisphosphonates developed osteonecrosis of the jaw. The continuing study at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick reviewed 79 patients treated with bisphosphonates.

Fifty-two patients were treated with the oral form of the drug for osteoporosis and 27 received the drug intravenously. No patient treated with the oral form of the drug developed osteonecrosis of the jaw but five of the 27 (18%) treated intravenously developed the condition over a two-year treatment period.

Four of the patients developed the condition following tooth extraction and for one patient the development was spontaneous.