I have done some research on not only Zometa, but Aredia and Fosamax side effects. These types of drugs(bisphosphonates) have been linked to losing jaw bone.
This side effect is called by many names, "Bis-phossy jaw",, "Dead Jaw", "Jaw Necrosis, Osteonecrosis of the jaw"
Cases have been reported since 2000 and yet it took the drug company in late
2004 to admit that there is a link. The FDA has taken Novartis(Zometa and Aredia) to task about
the delay and the methods used to inform the public. Novartis says they have 875 reported cases to them about people losing their jaw. Researchers believe that this 875 numbr represents
only about 1 to 10 % of the people who have this jaw condition from taking these drugs.
Now the warning is to have all your dental work before you take these drugs
or don't have dental work at all while on the drugs,and even then it can be risky
Here are many links that I found.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2005-0...ne-deaths_x.htm
http://www.cancerpage.com/news/article.asp?id=8122
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/doc...57172293526.htm
http://sev.prnewswire.com/health-care-hosp...05052005-1.html
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2005/zo...tite_5-5-05.pdf
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2004/ZometaHCP.pdf
http://www.fdaadvisorycommittee.com/FDC/Ad...405_ZometaR.htm
You can also go to Yahoo , MSN, or Googlr and search for "Zometa Side Effects"
Hope this helps.