Representing Victims of Fosamax

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Osteonecrosis of the jaw ("ONJ," "dead jawbone") involves tissue death of the bone in parts of the jaw. It can be asymptomatic in some patients, yet others will require partial jaw removal. Osteonecrosis occurs when there is a loss of blood supply to the bones. As a result, the bone tissue dies and may rot. In osteonecrosis of the jaw, if the jaw bone rots and dies and there is severe damage, the patient often needs surgery to remove large parts of the jaw.

Signs and symptoms of ONJ include:

• Gum pain, swelling, infection
• Poor healing of gums
• Loosening of teeth
• Numbness or heaviness in the jaw
• Drainage from jaw area
• Exposed jaw bone

ONJ is usually noticed by dentists, oral surgeons, and periodontists. After dental work such as an invasive oral surgery or the pulling of a tooth, the jaw usually remolds itself and builds bone to fill in the gap. In ONJ, the jaw fails to remold itself. The gap is left and the bone is not rebuilt. Fosamax and other drugs in its class, taken orally for osteoporosis and intravenously for cancer, have recently been linked with the development of ONJ. The FDA advises that patients taking Fosamax or other bisphosphonates to avoid dental surgery if possible during treatment with the drugs and to have regular dental examinations.