HAS ANYONE HAD JAW PROBLEMS?

Mom3

Has anyone had jaw problems after just one infusion of a Aredia (comparable) med?

I had one 5 months ago and am scheduled to have 2 teeth pulled on Tuesday. I AM SCARED!!! Please, any guidance, wisdom would be so much appreciated.

I was told not to tell the dentist about Aredia. How would this affect me? 

LindaLou53

Ihv4loves,

I have been on IV Zometa for over 3 years and have had no jaw problems, but I have also not had any teeth pulled during that time either.  I don't know who told you not to tell your dentist that you are on Aredia but I think that is bad advice.  Your dentist should absolutely know any medications you are taking that might change his treatment approach. Only if your dentist is fully informed can he make the best decisions to safequard your health.

Please discuss this with your dentist.  The risk of ONJ is low, but why take additional chances by not giving your medical professionals all the information they need to properly treat you?

karen_in_nj

I agree with LindaLou, you need to be forthcoming with your dentist. I can't imagine who would advise you not to be. I'm not on aredia, but am on clodronate, which is an oral biphosphonate. My dentist has told me that he would absolutely not do any extractions while I am taking this drug.

Celtic_Spirit

I told my dentist I would be receiving zometa before I had the first infusion. I wanted to know if my teeth and jaw bones were in good shape; I wanted to know if he had seen many cases of zometa-related jaw problems (thankfully, he hadn't); and I wanted him to be aware I was receiving zometa so he could monitor future x-rays for early signs of problems.

Anonymous

Wow, is your  treatment team telling you to keep a secret?!! I ditto all in that, if it was me, I would tell my dentist. Remember that you are in charge of your treatment and that includes your whole body! LOL

Moissy

I would tell the dentist. If you don't and run into any problems later, the dentist may not want to continue care if he or she feels you misled them by not telling them.

Is there any way you can avoid having the teeth pulled...like maybe having a root canal or crown instead? The latter are considered non-invasive dentistry and don't expose the bone the way extractions do.

carcharm

Not every dentist knows about the effects of these drugs. If you have an older dentist he may not be up to date on the efffects of these drugs. I called and asked my dentist if he thought it was safe to be in the zometa trial and he was very knowledeable about the drugs. I can't imagine who would tell you not to tell your dentist.