fosamax and teeth filling

Sig

fosamax and teeth filling

Sig

Hi girls, I am taking fosamax for almost 4 years now and  I have 5 teeths that need fillings (with white composite) and the dentist told me this need to be done soonest as if I wait any longer I would need a root canal and this would become worse. He told me that I should not worried about the fosamax and osteonecrosis of the jaw because this happens with tooth extraction and not filling. So wonder if any of you had tooth  fillings while on biphosphonate with no problem. My fillings will be done in two different appts.

thank you

Sig

cycle-path

I've had both fillings and root canals since being on bisphosphonates. No problems. Your dentist is correct that ONJ has generally only been associated with invasive dental procedures such as extractions. You may want to check this earlier post and read some of the associated articles: 

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/120/topic/777165?page=1#post_2684177 

otter

Sig, I don't think you need to be concerned about fillings, because the drilling should only be within the tooth itself.  It's when the bone is disturbed, that the risk of ONJ appears.  I talked to my dentist about all this shortly after I started on Arimidex 3+ years ago.  I explained that I was not yet on a bisphosphonate, but was concerned about bone thinning with Arimidex and the possibility of ONJ if I ever did need to go on a bisphosphonate.

My dentist told me he'd just returned from a professional meeting where one of the big topics was whether bisphosphonates really did pose a significant risk to dental health (including ONJ).  He tried to reassure me, saying that the risk of ONJ was actually a lot lower than people thought it was; and in most people, it took some serious excavating (as per cycle-path's comment) before that risk became real.

He took extra X-rays at that visit, as sort of a baseline so he could follow what might be happening with my jawbone and tooth roots over time.  He said it was sometimes possible to detect bone thinning/bone loss from estrogen suppression by looking at the density of jaw bones and the "seating" of tooth roots in dental X-rays.  Turns out, his wife had started out on an AI just that same month, so his interest was more than just academic curiosity.

Anyway, I'd say go ahead with the fillings, especially if that means you can avoid more invasive dental procedures later.

otter

Disclaimer:  I am still only on Arimidex -- no bisphosphonate yet.

Sig

Thanks cycle-path and otter, I feel a little bit more secured now but still concern, I am so scared of this problem but I will go ahead with the teeth filling because later on it could be worse if I dont because one of the the teeth is mobile stage 1. I did a bit of reseach on the net and yes the osteonecrosis seems to be a rare problem and seems to happens mostly with extraction.I would just love to stop this fosamax pills, but I am also scare of falling apart.

Sig 

LtotheK

My doctor has confirmed everything being stated here.  I think the thing that is still scary to most of us is, if we are unlucky enough to get the necrosis issue, there is no treatment.  But, my dentist who is fastidious to an absolute fault basically told me to please not worry about it.

If it helps you feel more in control, you might switch to an electric or sonic toothbrush.  My cleanings have gotten easier and I think my teeth and gums are in better shape.  Now, if I could just keep from being lazy some nights....

LtotheK

Another thing to note:  my dentist told me Fosomax stays in the body for 12 years.

Ozzi

no worries, I have had major dental work while on Fosamax. . . no problems.  Really had to do with more invasive dental/jaw work not filing.  

It will be fine. 

Sig

what about the needle they shoot in your gums for anesthesia? , does it make any trauma to your gums/mouth bone.? 

Sig

Sherryc

I have also had major dental work since being on Fosomax and no problems  My dentist said in all the years she has treated patients she has only seen one case of necrosis cause from biophosonates.

cycle-path

I've also had major dental work while on bisphosphonates, and no problems. 

I figure I have a greater chance of being hit by space debris than I do of getting ONJ. 

WinnieThePooh

So glad I found this information.  My doctor called me yesterday and told me my first bone density scan was not so good and he wants to start me on Fosomax.  Right away my friends and family sent me into panic mode.  Lawsuits, warnings, dangers, etc.  My mom told me her doctor took her off of it because it's so controversial.  I really want to take it so I went online to start researching when I remembered this site.  I figured I couldn't be the only 43 year old with bone loss after chemo!  It sounds like the dangers are directly related to dental procedures involving the bone?  If a dental procedure were ever required, couldn't we temporarily stop taking the Fosomax? 

LtotheK

WinnieThePooh,

Here's my thinking on all this.  My osteo was bad in the back, not in the hip (keep in mind for a true diagnosis, you have to be osteoporotic in the HIP).  Fosamax is great for the back.  I have an excellent endocrinologist--definitely seek the counsel of a good one before you make your decisions.  Mine was awesome.  My doctor first wanted me on Reclast, and I appreciated that after extensive testing, the endocrinologist deemed it overkill.

My personal take?  These bios are garbage, they don't work.  BUT, I am agreeing to them so the doctor doesn't suggest Prolia or an IV one in the future, and with the way my bones seem to be going, I seriously don't want to run that risk.

I think the brouhaha around these drugs is overstated.  I also think they basically don't work for what they originally had hoped:  strong, effective bone.

Yes, you can stop taking the drug if you need serious dental work, but this stuff has a 12 year life in the body.  You can generally be comfortable with the fact that the osteonecrosis issues are a tiny population, and it's bone-related work that precipitates it.  It also appears that most who got it were significantly immuno-compromised.