Fosamax is a common drug used to treat osteoporosis and also Paget’s disease. In some rare cases, people may develop dental complications after dental extractions when they are taking fosamax. The jaw bone may never heal and osteonecrosis of the jaw bone may occur. There may or may not be infections. It may be asymptomatic for a couple of weeks until the exposed bone appears in the affected site.
There are other drugs that may cause osteonecrosis. They are bisphosphonate-category of drugs used to commonly treat cancers.
One way to minimize the chance of side effect is to have the physician to prescribe an alternative medication for the targeted medical illness.
So if you are taking fosamax, please be sure to discuss this with the dentist upon dental visit.
Written by Daniel Tee, DDS, MS
Practicing General Dentist Serving the city of Tempe, Chandler, Phoenix, Gilbert, and Mesa in Arizona.
