What is osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ)? ONJ is a condition in which there is delayed healing of the jaw, resulting in unhealed areas inside the mouth, and the underlying jaw bone remaining exposed for longer than would normally be expected. The majority of reported cases have been associated with dental disease such as infection, or invasive dental procedures such as tooth extraction, although ONJ may also occur spontaneously.
How common is ONJ in people taking drug treatments for osteoporosis? Osteonecrosis, linked to bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis is rare, affecting between 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100,000 people per year. Although there is very little evidence from current research studies, the risk appears to be no higher for people having bisphosphonates via a drip or injection including zoledronic acid (Aclasta) and ibandronate (Bonviva), than for those taking bisphosphonate tablets.
Which drug treatments for osteoporosis have been linked with this condition? Drug treatments belonging to the bisphosphonate family (alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, and zoledronate) have been associated with ONJ though there have also been some cases in people taking denosumab (Prolia).
Do osteoporosis drugs increase the risk of ONJ and how do they do this? At present, it has not been definitely proven that drug treatments for osteoporosis increase the risk of ONJ and there is no clear understanding either as to how they might do so. ONJ can occur in people not taking any osteoporosis treatments and among those taking such treatments the condition, as outlined, is rare. ONJ is more clearly linked, however, with the use of very high doses of therapy with bisphosphonate drugs or denosumab in patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer.
What can I do to reduce my risk of ONJ during osteoporosis treatment? • If you are taking a bisphosphonate or denosumab for the treatment of osteoporosis the expert advice, as for the general population, is to maintain good oral hygiene, see your dentist regularly every 6 months and report any problems such as loose teeth, pain or swelling to your dentist. The risk of ONJ related to bisphosphonate therapy taken for osteoporosis is very small so you don’t need to take any special precautions. • Some other factors such as poor oral hygiene, cancer, chemotherapy or taking glucocorticoid (“steroid”) tablets may mean your ONJ risk might be slightly increased so in these circumstances you should probably have your teeth checked before starting an osteoporosis drug treatment. In these circumstances, you may be referred to a dental hospital if you require an invasive procedure. • If you are going to start a bisphosphonate, such as zoledronate, for treatment of cancer (where the doses are much higher than used for osteoporosis), the expert advice is that you should have a dental examination and complete any dental procedure involving exposure of bone, such as tooth extraction, before starting the treatment.
Will stopping my osteoporosis drug treatment before I have dental work performed to reduce the risk of ONJ? There is no research to date to suggest that stopping treatment with a bisphosphonate or denosumab before you have any dental work performed, will reduce your risk of ONJ. You should discuss any necessary work with your dentist but in the absence of any additional risk factors (including having poor oral hygiene, cancer, chemotherapy or glucocorticoid (“steroid”) therapy), it should be possible to go ahead without any significant concerns. In fact, routine care by a dental professional would be recommended. All dentists should be aware of guidance from their professional organizations about the management of patients on osteoporosis treatments such as bisphosphonates or denosumab.
Do I need a referral to a dental hospital for dental procedures if I am having a bisphosphonate via injection or drip for osteoporosis or have had osteoporosis drugs for many years? No, if you don’t have other risks (including having poor oral hygiene, cancer, chemotherapy or glucocorticoid (“steroid”) tablets), your risk is considered to be low and experts recommend you do not require referral to a dental hospital for invasive dental procedures. The route via which you are receiving your osteoporosis treatment or the length of time you have been taking it should not affect your dental treatment or where you receive it.
My dentist is refusing to treat me because I am taking an osteoporosis treatment. Despite the very low risk of ONJ some dentists appear to be unnecessarily cautious when treating all people taking osteoporosis drugs and may not want to treat you. In this situation, talk to your doctor or other health professional involved in your care who may be able to help.
I understand that the risk of ONJ is very low but it still really worries me – what can I do? Talk to your doctor and explain your concerns. Ask about the likely potential benefits of treatment for you and also the risk of adverse effects including ONJ. Unfortunately, no drug treatments are free from side effects but if you are still worried explain this to your doctor, as there may be other drug treatments which you can take.
For further information on drug treatments for osteoporosis, such as how to decide which drug to take, see our booklet All about Osteoporosis. Fact sheets are available on each osteoporosis drug.