One-Blue-Lady

[One-Blue-Lady]

I’m investigating Zoledronic acid injections, hospital asked me if I had any problems with teeth.

It seems that if I had to have an extraction and the gum was more than six weeks healing, the jaw bone may be a problem. Unfortunately I broke a tooth about six weeks ago, dentist said they couldn’t do anything with it as there’s nothing to fix a filling to and as I’m not in pain it’s akin to leave it. I’m worried that if it does have to be removed while I’m having treatment for osteoporosis it’s going to be a problem. Has anyone else had dental work done while undergoing treatment with Zoledronic acid injections?

[ROSModerator Partner]

Hi  One-Blue-Lady , thank you for your post. We have a factsheet on our website which may help answer some of your questions - strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi.... Best wishes

[YorkshireOAP]

There has been recent activity on here regarding this situation.I need an extraction and have been referred to hospital for this.

When I was first diagnosed and put on the infusions (I've had two and need another in September) all I was told was to let my dentist know I was having the infusion which I did.

Eventually I needed a large filling or extraction, no pain at all.

This is what I'm waiting for now.

My NHS dentist and GP have been excellent about this, seem to think I am at low risk of any problems so I'm waiting .....

Good luck!

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to YorkshireOAP]

My neighbour suffered similar and had extractions two either side of jaw, ended up on antibiotics because the gum didn’t heal. She has now got two sunken patches on her face where the jaw has collapsed. Get urgent attention asap. Don’t want to frighten you but you should be aware of what can happen. My neighbour took tablets not injections. I’m waiting for dental work and my dentist said my teeth are in good condition but I’m still undecided whether to go ahead or not. I need more time to understand what is being offered and what can go wrong. They keep very quiet about that! Good luck hope all goes well.

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to YorkshireOAP]

Sorry I missed this. I hope it goes without problems. My neighbour had to go to hospital for two extractions had to have antibiotics because her gums didn’t heal and infection has affected her jaw badly so her face has sunk where her teeth were extracted. I have decided I’m not going to go for the treatment.

[YorkshireOAP in reply to One-Blue-Lady]

Very reassuring I must say!

[MayGodBlessYou]

from what i've read, if you needed extraction, have it done in the last month of an o.p drug dose interval,

i.e 4 weeks before date of scheduled dose,

or 4 weeks before any start of the drug,

that way, the tooth and jaw heal,

then the drug dose is on time.

[YorkshireOAP in reply to MayGodBlessYou]

Sorry that reply wasn't meant for you,,Hopefully my extraction will be before my next infusion but it has to be done!

[YorkshireOAP]

Very reassuring I must say!!!

[Turboman]

I had my first infusion of Zoledronic Acid around 18 months ago and am now due for my 2nd infusion of three. I had a tooth extraction around 8 weeks ago. My situation was discussed with the dentist who said as it had been some time since the infusion I should be ok. The healing was closely monitored and it has healed well. As I understood it from the dentist the risk is greater if an extraction is done a short time after the infusion.

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to Turboman]

Glad you are okay, it’s risky though as it is an unknown when a tooth would need extraction, the infusion stays in the body for at least a year. I had to see my dentist before starting because of a broken tooth, he checked that I hadn’t started treatment before doing the filling even.

Having seen what can happen when having to have dental treatment after starting the infusions I am not prepared to risk it, the osteoporosis diagnosis came completely out of the blue for me, although I have had mobility problems for ages. Fortunately no fractures so I’m just hoping diet will be enough to see me through. What I can’t understand is my doctor has advised no vitamin K2, she says it’s the cause of blood clots but everyone here seems to agree it’s necessary to help the bones absorb calcium, so I’m hoping she’s right and I will not have problems because I’m not taking it.

[Turboman in reply to One-Blue-Lady]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I agree there is a risk and like yourself I was advised to sort any dental treatment before I started medication. Regards the recent extraction it was over a year since my infusion, otherwise the dentist would not have continued. My diagnosis also came out the blue 2 years ago., following some pain in my left hip, which I thought was caused by movement of metalwork in my femur, which I have following treatment for bone cancer many years ago. When given the diagnosis, I was also informed of 2 vertebrae fractures. Was told my osteoporosis was most likely a long term effect of chemotherapy, when treated for bone cancer.

[One-Blue-Lady in reply to Turboman]

Thanks for sharing Turboman, because the treatment stays in the body longer than when having the treatment I find it difficult to understand how people can look at for example at five years and say for sure that they won’t need dental treatment during that whole time and even beyond. I haven’t heard back from the last lot of X-rays so I’m presuming there’s no immediate rush to decide if I want to go ahead!