Effects of bone drugs on dental health

The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) has produced a report that examines the link between a class of widely prescribed drugs used to strengthen bones and osteonecrosis

of the jaw (ONJ). The report, authored by an international, multidisciplinary task force, was convened by the ASBMR to look at the possible association between ONJ, a deterioration of the

jawbone, and a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates, which in recent years have been linked to the condition. According to the American Dental Association, some 23 million Americans take

oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. ONJ was first reported among cancer patients receiving high doses of bisphosphonate drugs as part of their treatment. The disorder appears as an area

of exposed bone in the lower and upper jaw often developing after tooth extraction, mouth injury and dental surgery. Some cases occurred as a result of no known injury. According to

Elizabeth Shane, co-chair of the task force and immediate past President of the ASBMR, ONJ is rare in people taking low dose oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis but she added that more

research was needed to identify the risk factors and determine if changing the dosing schedules of bisphosphonates could reduce the incidence of ONJ. 'This new research agenda will help

fill the considerable gaps in knowledge regarding this disorder and the recommendations will provide guidance for health care professionals in their care of patients currently on

bisphosphonate therapy,' she explained. The ASBMR task force formed in July 2006 is an international, multidisciplinary group of experts in the field including representatives from the

United States National Institutes of Health and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Both published and unpublished data on the occurrence of ONJ were examined, a case definition was

determined and a future research agenda was recommended. RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Effects of bone drugs on dental health. _Br Dent

J_ 203, 181 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.763 Download citation * Published: 25 August 2007 * Issue Date: 25 August 2007 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.763 SHARE THIS

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