The following is a public service announcement.

I posted something several months ago about this class of drugs and implications in dental treatment. If you're interested check my archives and look for the one about IV drugs and osteoporosis. (I'd link to it but don't know how and don't have time to figure it out.)

Bisphosponates are a class of drug used to treat osteoporosis, mostly in women, but also in post chemo males. They are effective and quite safe, with one notable side effect: They increase the risk of osteoNECROSIS, or bone death, after some dental procedures, including periodontal surgery, extractions and implants.

The risk is lower than we apparently thought at the time I made that old post, but is still present. MD's seem to make light of the risk, but those who have had this occur after extractions don't seem to like it very much. The treatment is antibiotic therapy for the rest of your life. There doesn't seem to be any way to make it go away.

If you're on these drugs, my recommendation would be to raise your oral hygiene level as much as possible. Consider going to the dentist for extra cleanings during the year. Go get examinations and x-rays done, try to catch any problems when they are small, before you need to have a tooth extracted or develop periodontal disease. And then don't worry overly much about it.

If you've been told that the MD wants to put you on, go to the dentist before you start. Get anything that definitely needs extraction removed before starting the drugs. Once they're in your system the risks last for a long time, longer with the IV forms of the drug than with the oral forms.

It seems to be a rare occurrence, but the risk is elevated enough that some simple precautions are prudent.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!