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!

[Calciumgirl]

I had my first Zoledronic acid infusion in December.Have very good oral hygiene etc and saw my dentist for a regular check up in February.I,obviously,told him that I have had this treatment.He said as soon as a patient has this treatment,they are classed as "high risk".If you are on the bisphosphonate tablets,"medium risk".He queried why I hadn't been offered tablets, initially.My fracture liaison nurse advised me that was because my osteoporosis is "severe".3.3 in two vertebrae 2.8/2.5 in two others.I was wary of this infusion because of my teeth.Regarding treatment, I have been advised /read that we have to have excellent,daily oral habits and if treatment required that extractions /implants should be avoided because of potential healing issues.Be guided by your dentist x Good luck.

[OneBlueLady in reply to Calciumgirl]

Thanks very much Calciumgirl for sharing your experience, it’s what I have been lead to understand. My neighbour who has got a collapsed jaw , was on the tablets but carried on with them after having an extraction in hospital she was having to take antibiotics for months, haven’t heard from her this year yet. It puts me off completely, I don’t know if I would have felt differently if I had been told I was worse than-3 in my left upper arm, unfortunately I don’t trust my doctor because I was three or four years taking omprazol without being checked for B12, that’s what I believe is the reason I am now suffering osteoporosis/arthritis, and the reason I can’t take tablets. I checked with her recently about taking the vitamin K2, but was told it would cause blood clots! I have done a lot of research and found that’s not the case, so have gone ahead and I’m taking them. I did reply that I was taking codliver and fish oil that is reported to thin the blood, she told me to stop taking them! As I don’t believe her I have carried on taking them, I have even resorted to taking a stronger dose! I believe they are the equivalent of WD40😂 that unfortunately doesn’t help bones as can’t unzip to reach them 🤨. Hope all goes well for you, because you are aware of the problem so know what could happen, that’s half the battle so you know what you need to do to be prepared. Best wishes, June

[Calciumgirl in reply to OneBlueLady]

Is it worth seeing another GP as your experience does not sound a positive one? One thing I have learned from this horrible experience of being diagnosed with osteoporosis after the initial shock,is that WE are in control of what we decide to do with our bodies and the medication WE take.Do your research and make your own mind up xx With regard to Vitamin D this should be taken with Vitamin K2.

[OneBlueLady in reply to Calciumgirl]

Hello again, thanks for reminding me. I was actually sent vitamin d3 with calcium tablets effervescent! My daughter who’s a physiotherapist advised not to take them as the type of calcium that the nhs prescribed can cause problems, so I take vitamin d separately along with my multi, codliver oil etc, so hope my diet is adequate.. in fact I was surprised to get them as I have always been a cheese addict, can’t leave any out because I keep sneaking lumps!

[Calciumgirl in reply to OneBlueLady]

Sodium citrate is less harsh than calcium carbonate tablets on the tummy.I asked my doctor about the above and she just looked at me- Your daughter is right - The NHS prescribe the cheapest drug available.I take AdcalD3 but take an extra tablet of K2.Seems ok at the moment.

[OneBlueLady in reply to Calciumgirl]

That’s what my daughter said, apparently it can clog up blood vessels! When I said I wasn’t going to take it, no mention of what I should be doing about the Vit D! I obviously am buying that myself. Where do you get AdcalD3?

[Calciumgirl in reply to OneBlueLady]

I get the AdcalD3 on prescription from my GP but I think you can get it online x

[OneBlueLady in reply to Calciumgirl]

Thanks have you checked if it the cheap calcium, because I suspect it’s the same as the effervescent one I turned down calcium carbonate, hopefully you will be okay. X

[Calciumgirl in reply to OneBlueLady]

Maybe speak to a pharmacist.They may be able to tell you what may suit you best x Thank you for your kind words.