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If you are having oral Bis-Phosphonate Therapy
(Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel, didronel or Skelid) you should
be educated in the potential risk of osteonecrosis of the
jaw. Osteonecrosis is the destruction of the bone. Other problems
can be caused by secondary infections that result from this
bone destruction.
The necrosis can occur spontaneously in 2-5%
of these patients without any local trauma or procedure. The
risk of problem is much greater when we perform any type of
dental surgery of the upper or lower jaw.
Due to the potential risks for patients undergoing this type
of therapy,any patient who needs to undergo
any type of surgery should follow these recommendations:
- Consult with your physician to consider discontinuing
the Bis-Phosphonate treatments.
- Rinse your mouth 2 times a day with a .12% Chlorhexidine
rinse such as Peridex.
- Take pre-operative antibiotic treatments with PenVK, Cleocin
or Zithromycin for 2-4 weeks. The
dosage and medication depending on consultation with your
physician.
- Have a yearly Panoramic x-ray of the jaw to track the
presence or the progression of Ostonecrosis.
To date thousands of patents have been affected by this medication.
We should be as conservative as
possible in regard to any planed jaw surgery.
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