Any concerns with Zometa and Osteonecrosis? My dentist scared me.

Susan · 01-23-2009, 06:23 AM

Hi: I'm a dental hygienist, and I know at our office, when someone is on any bisphosphorates (which now days, effects a large number of patients), the only issue we have is for extractions. We always refer any patients on those drugs to an oral surgeon, and they will do a blood/urine test to see if they would be a candiate for an extraction. We actually only have one surgeon in the our area that will be willing to do surgery w/ the test, so just hope we don't need any teeth pulled! But as a far the bisphosphorates affecting having your teeth cleaned, routine fillings/crowns, that is not problem. But make sure you let your dentist know that you are on any zometa- like drugs. The drug Forteo is a different type of drug than the zometa.

RobinP · 01-23-2009, 06:50 AM

HI Vic,

Just wanted to throw this out there for you. I heard a webcast by the famous Dr. Larry Norton at Mem. Sloan Kettering Ca. Ctr. and he said that he does not advocate biphosphonates for early stage bc and that a new and better drug will soon be on the market to prevent bone mets and build bone mass. Copied my post about that and the link below to Larry Norton's talk:
http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache:...lnk&cd=4&gl=us
PS. I agree that the oral biphosphonates are a lot safer than the infusions. You could always get a second doc opinion on this.

FYI Here is the link to the new bone drug
http://www.communityoncology.net/jou...es/0506291.pdf

http://www.oncolink.com/resources/ar...th=01&id=15938

Vic · 01-26-2009, 11:09 AM

This is just what I was looking for, and I really appreciate your input on Zometa and dental health.

Thanks, Kim, for giving me the correct name of the other drug (Forteo) and its differences. Susan, knowing you're a dental hygienist, is very reassuing and your experience in the field will really help me make my decision about Zometa.

Robin, I had no idea another drug was in the works. These links you provided will help me do my research and I'll check them out. I just hope, if they prove to be safer than Zometa, that they will be offered soon. I'm thinking I would like to start the Zometa infusions this spring. (Becky, I know you've been on Zometa and will you stop your infusions after three years? Or, do you continue indefinitely due to your osteopenia?)

Your quick feedback means so much to me and really shows why this website is such a wonderful, caring and helpful place to be.

See you online,

Vicki