People who take osteoporosis drugs such as Actonel, Boniva and Fosamax should be aware that such medications have been linked to rare but serious dental complications. The problem is called osteonecrosis of the jaw, or jawbone death. It may be triggered by invasive dental procedures such as tooth extraction. Unfortunately, a recent study suggests that some patients don’t know about this complication. 73 people taking bisphosphonates and seeking dental care were questioned. Most of them knew that they were taking the drugs to strengthen their bones, but 82 percent could not remember their doctors telling them about the risk of jawbone death. The researchers call for better communication between doctors, dentists, and the patients who see them both so that risks can be minimized.
