The public has been alarmed, or at the very least confused, by recent reports about osteoporosis medications and their affect on oral health. The ADA worked with the National Osteoporosis Foundation to create a brochure to help sort out the facts from fiction.

The brochure explains that patients who have been taking bisphosphonates, a common class of drugs used to treat osteoporosis or low-bone density, have developed a rare biphosphate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw. This is a very serious, but rare, condition that can cause severe damage to the jaw. Patients who have an area of exposed bone in the jaw that persists for more than 8 weeks, who have NO history of radiation therapy to the head and neck region, and who are taking, or have taken, a bisphosphonate medication need to consult their physician immediately. The incidence of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw for those taking bisphosphonates is unknown, but researchers agree that the chance appears to be very small. Ninety-four percent of patients diagnosed with jaw osteonecrosis are cancer patients repeatedly taking high doses of bisphosphonates intravenously. The other 6% took oral bisphosphonates.

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 50% of women and 20% of men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed to prevent broken bones. The benefits of osteoporosis medications greatly outweigh the risks of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw. Those medications commonly prescribed are alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), risedonate (Actone), and zoledronic acid (Reclast).