I have a fracture in one of my upper back teeth that needs to come out. Because I have taken Alendronic acid in the past I was referred to a private clinic. Had an appointment today for a consultation and they are going to remove it on the 21st. I’ve been told to start a course of antibiotics on the day and double the pred just for one day. Apparently the antibiotics can cause an upset tum. The dentist also said that I may end up with stitches , which I expected but also stitches in my sinuses as the tooth is so near. And they may knock out the crown next to it!
Wish I’d never taken the AA because I really trust my dentist and wouldn’t have had all this foofing around. 😬
Written by
Suet3942
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Darling don’t beat yourself up. We always do the best we can. We do what we are advised to do by docs. You are so brave and try so hard. Berating yourself will make you feel horrible and you don’t deserve it. We all wish we could change our actions. Look at how I went on about it doing preventative stuff re the myopathy. But I stopped because it was pointless and I needed to cheer myself up. I am going to trust your extraction goes well. They are never fun but you are lucky to have a good dentist. Please update us. Linda xxxxx
You are sweet Linda. I wasn’t really complaining. It’s only a tooth but just wish I’d told my rheumatologist to ‘do one’ when he insisted on me taking the AA.!!
Tooth procedures are hard. I know what you mean about the AA. Never mind darling on and up xxxx
Sorry to hear about your tooth it is quite worrying I know as I should have had a upper back tooth extracted several months ago and as I was on Riveroxaban which is similar to Warfarin I understand I declined at 4pm and made another morning appt later on. In the meantime I was putting clove oil on the tooth each day. When I went to the new appt and explained to my Dentist that it seemed to have numbed the pain and could I leave it a little longer, to which he agreed! Still bearing with it but I know I will have to succumb sometime soon. Good luck and keep us informed. D
I was at the dentist yesterday with a problem under a 30+ year old crown. As I am on Risedronate (like AA) all he could do was put a filling underneath and at the side of the crown. He says the crown may fall off and leave me with just the root, but he's reluctant to extract it while I'm on a bisphosphonate.
Like you, I trust my dentist.
Having my 2-yearly DEXA scan next week and if my osteoporosis 'scores' have improved, then I'm OFF the Risedronate!
Good luck Sue, so glad I reacted badly to AA and couldn't take it. Dentist work isn't good at the best of times but I'm sure he'll do a good job for you. x
I am taking AA and had a loose front tooth. The new, young dentist decided to file it down and I now have a bridge to cover the gap. Although I would have preferred an implant, it looks OK.
PS My Rheumy suggested I cease taking AA when I reach 4mg Pred: I am very slowly tapering and on 5.5mg now.
So sorry about all this. I was in that situation a few months back but without taking AA. I bit on summit not especially hard and tooth crumbled and broke down to bone on one side. She said we would need a long appt as I might need stitches and if it exposes the sinus then she would have to repair that to. So I went in all nervous. She gave me the anaesthetic, fiddled around with the tooth and got it out in one piece (no stitches). She checked the sinus (they squeeze your nose and ask you to blow hard) and said ok no problem there. I was in and out in 10 mins. I guess they have to prepare one for the worse. Just thought you might need to hear a good outcome story. Need to sort out the gap now that it’s healed but that can wait. All the best cc 🤗
All the best Suet. Yes a few times along this road I’ve wished “ if only!.......” I sure you’ll be fine with this dentist. They do seem to know what they’re on about even though it sounds a bit long winded- better safe than sorry. Xx
instead of the dentist, you may want to go to dental surgeon. When I had to remove a tooth to get implant, dental surgeon removed it to preserve or lessen the damage to the bone below, because it was needed for implant. He used scalpel to separate tissue from the tooth and I was much easier to remove the tooth.
Hi Sue, what bad luck :-(. 'Grit your teeth' and all that? (Correction: Sorry, DON'T...!!!)
But seriously: I'm sure a few (but not all) of Us Lot wish we hadn't been persuaded (or bullied?) arbitrarily by a GP or Rheumy to take AA in conjunction with the Preds. I remember my GP briefly lecturing me (for about 2 seconds - Ha!) on the dangers of not taking AA - without a hint of a suggestion that I should have a DXA scan to establish a reference point / score for pre-existing bone health (+/-) at the onset of PMR. Mmmm...
My intuition told me that I didn't need / not to take AA, never having had even a bruise after clanging around on the squash court for many years, being a very active 'Action Man' type and getting into numerous Punch-ups (mainly with Tedski). And all this, despite my having a, er, let's say 'slender' frame / bones. So I chucked the AA tabs away after collecting the prescription and took my chances.
2 years later, a later DXA scan (on my insistence, and armed with useful insights from a few of You Lot here) revealed mild Osteopenia, and minimal future Major Fracture Risk pro-rata for my age / gender. But of course this might always have been the case and nothing to-do with NOT taking AA. Recommendations: the usual Lifestyle stuff - good diet, exercise etc. So, Business as Usual in this regard at least.
That said (Important!): everyone's personal and health context is different. And.. the often controversial 'PMR / Pred / AA Trio' advice seems to be a standard one from many medics, for better or worse. Maybe their intention is Prevention vs. Cure - and to cover their Professional Backs too?
Fingers crossed for your dental work - please keep Us Lot posted
Thanks Mark. Just seen your post as we have been helping our daughter move house. Suffice to say after 2 days of cleaning and unpacking, I ache from head to foot and would like to lie down in a dark room fora week. 😁😁
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Tooth extraction
Tooth extraction 
Concern about possible tooth extraction 
Coming off Pred for tooth extraction?
