Dental work & Zometa

[tricia keegan]

Hi everyone,

I have to see a Dentist on Monday for what I think is a bad tooth which may need an extraction and I also suspect I have an abccess there too which may need treating first.

I just began a once yearly iv of Zometa earlier this year and know the importance of telling the Dentist I take this med which was stressed by my onc and have no wish to be one of the rare few who develop osteonecrosis of the jaw after this!!

I'm just wondering does everyone have an antibiotic before their dental work or is there something else I should be asking for???
Its my first Dental problem since beginning this med so if anyone can give advice or personal experience I'd appreciate it and thanks!

[ElaineM]

I took an antibiotic before dental work after a hip replacement (accident related). The orthopedic doctor told me antibiotics are required when a person has dental work for 18-24 months after bone surgery to prevent damage to the area where bone surgery was done.
Perhaps your dentist and oncologist should have a talk about Zometa, bones and dental health. My dentist and my oncologist had a talk about that. The dentist told the oncologist I had a strong change of getting osteo necrosis from Zometa, because I already had dental problems. Needless to say my oncologist did not perscribe Zometa. I just take calcium, vitamin D and magnesium for my bones.
Good luck.

[tricia keegan]

Thank you Elaine, my recent dexa showed severe osteopenia and couldnt take Fosamax due to tummy isuue's so my onc felt zometa had to be given as I chose to remain on arimidex after my five years were up, thanks for your input and think I do need an antibiotic first anyway to treat the abccess!
(I preferred to deal with bone loss than a recurrance so felt this was the lessor of two evil's!)

[Delaney]

Tricia, hope it all goes well for you on Monday and thanks for the heads up on the antibiotics. I will know to take them if I ever need work done.

Hi Tricia,

I take an antibiotic before dental work because of having a port.

I'm on Zometa also. My dentist recommended an oral surgeon who is very familiar with Bisphosonates (Zometa, etc.) for me to see for a 2nd opinion about how to handle any dental problems.

If I were facing anything involving an extraction I would not let my dentist do it. I would first try to go to someone who works with patients who are at risk due to being on Zometa. I would want to consult with this Dr. about any precautions I should take before having an extraction.

I have had my dentist for years and think he is very good, but he does not deal with patients that are at risk.....he is very good at routine stuff, but I would want someone with more expertise at this time.

Hope all goes well.

[tricia keegan]

Thank you for your advice Unregistered and although I have an appt Monday with my Dentist I think I'll ask for the antibiotic but refuse any more tx until I speak to my onc who may be able to refer me to someone thats experienced in this as you suggest and thanks again!

Helen, thank you too for your good wishes

[Henny]

I had to have a tooth removed when I was on Zometa and then had an implant put in. It wasn't on my lower jaw and my docs and dentist weren't concerned about problems with it. My onc said problems most often occur when one hasn't taken care of their teeth for a while.
I did have antibiotics to clear up the abcess that started the whole thing
(and I have to say that the implant worked well and I love it-one more step to being a bionic woman!)

[tricia keegan]

Thanks Henny and glad this worked well for you!