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Double Whammy

Quarryman
0 Recommendations

I have recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis and am taking calcium, vitamin D and Actonel.

As if this wasn't enough, my dentists has recently informed me that some of my (very few) teeth securing my lower denture are fragile and unlikely to last much longer. She recommends titanium implants to replace these and secure a new denture. I understand that success of the implant procedure requires that the jaw integrates with the titanium implants.

Does anyone know how this process of osseointegration is affected by osteoporosis.

Thanks to everyone for their help on my many queries,

Quarryman

Explore topics in this discussion:

Surgery Fractures Fosamax Reclast Dental health Actonel Pain Progesterone Osteoporosis Osteonecrosis

15 replies

sdivas

Hello, does your dentist know about your osteoporosis? Is your dentist educated on osteoporosis and dental care? My dentist is very well informed about bone loss and is very careful with any dental procedures. I've had several teeth bonded in order to support a few teeth that were in question. I also have dental cleaning every 3 months. With dental x-rays, your dentist should be able to tell you how much bone support your teeth have ... and also can do a comparison of past x-rays for dental bone loss. That information may help you decide. Also, check if there are any alternatives instead of dental implants. Personally, my dentist is doing everything possible that will avoid any extractions or any work that would be bone related. If it was absolutely necessary, my dentist would take great care. This situation isn't easy as many dentists are not well bone loss educated ...
"Looking at my information from the Clinician meeting:
Limit dental surgery to that required and only when more conservative approaches are either not indicated or not effective." I don't have dentures; maybe another community member that has dentures may be more helpful. Please let us know what procedure is taken. Dental bone health is not often discussed on the community; and only in regard to jaw necrosis. Sandi

Darlene2

Hi, I'm in another group having to do with osteoporosis. Many of us in that group found out through our discussions that we have real problems with our teeth. These problems are more than the average person has.
I'm wondering if you or other's here have problems with your teeth.
Bye for now, Darlene

MotherGoose

The jaw is one of the first bones in our body to show bone loss. Indeed, here in my community, and in earlier years before the advent of screening and BMD testing, it was the dentists who have picked up on the diagnosis with routine dental X-rays.
This is a concern for you as the jaw needs to be able to hold securely the implant -- especially when a bridge will be depending on it. Go over this carefully with your dentist.
Good luck!
Lucy Buckley PT aka Mother Goose

huessysignoret

I don't know the answer to your prescise question, but I do know that while on Fosamax, and having dental procedures done, I lost bone mass in my lower jaw and had eight loosened teeth. I went off the drug, the teeth eventually tightened back up, but the alignment is lost forever unless (at 63!) I decided on braces. No Thanks. Many folks on osteoporosis drugs report jaw and tooth problems. I I am now the Queen of Dental Hygiene -- fluoride rinse available only through dentists, water pic, flossing tape -- the works -- and no more problems. (And no more osteoporosis drugs -- just Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, natural progesterone cream (I'm a woman, so you can ignore that.) Good luck.

SaraMeeks

I, too, have had dental problems all my life and can see osteoposis on dental X-rays. Mother Goose is correct (from what I know) that the jaw bone is one of the first affected by osteoporosis and may or may not be recognized.
I've been working on saving my teeth by being following my dentist's recommendations of flossing, flouride rinse, etc for several years now and things have actually improved.
Be sure to be sure, even get a second opinion, before you go for implants that may or may not be secure.

DBM

I have advanced osteoporosis in my spine and arms, strangely my hips are above normal (Z score > 1 and T score very slightly below 1) I am 66. My dentist tells me my jaw bones are fine. Recently, a tooth supporting a bridge was fractured. It had been iffy several years ago when the bridge was put in. My dentist put in a post and the bridge back on. Subsequent checks have shown the post as holding up very well. Only problem, I tend to clench my teeth, especially in my sleep. this causes pain the next day. So what am I saying? You can have osteoporosis and even not very good teeth, which may be due to less than perfect dental hygene, and still have a good jaw bone structure. You need to be sure the jaw bone structure is good before messing with it.

reversiblecat

I got Invisiline braces put on at age 59 & my teeth were aligned by age 60. And I wasn't the oldest patient. Would do it again without a minute's hesitation.

You're never too old. ;o)

huessysignoret

Thanks! (But actually, my points were more that (1) I don't have the money, and (2) I don't really care. They don't look THAT bad. But thanks again.

Quarryman

Thanks very much indeed to all who replied to my Double Whammy post. I suspected that my dentist was avoiding the difficulties associated with my condition. Now I feel sure she was. I'll get a second opinion - thanks again for your help.

nobonesaboutit

Thank you everyone for discussing this. I felt like I was the only one facing this-always feeling like my dental condition was too iffy to do the Reclast IV all my Drs are pushing me to do. Currently having a broken crown that has the area inflamed and so far, dentists don't want to fix it fearing I'll get a hematoma just from the injections. Does anyone else have problems with receeding gums?

Quarryman

Today I contacted Osteoporosis Canada who referred me to their position paper on osteoporosis and osteonecrosis of the jaw
In essence they say that for osteoporosis papients taking drugs like Actonel, the chance of contracting osteonecrosis of the jaw is very small - between 1 in 10000 and 1 in 100000.
You can see the paper by going to www.osteoporosis.ca. If you go to the home page then click on the tab News at the top. Ignore the drop-down box; just click on the tab itself. The 2008 news items will appear. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see 2007 News Archives; click on that. The first item will be June 2007

sdivas

The following from the Clinician Meeting: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) definition:
The presence of exposed bone in the maxillofacial region that did not heal within 8 weeks after identification by a healthcare professional in a patient who was receiving or had been exposed to a bisphosphonate
Although this association is consistent with a role for bisphosphonates, bisphosphonates have not been proven to be causal
The incidence of ONJ in the general poplulation not exposed to bisphosphonates is unknown
BONJ Precautions and Management Recommendations:
Patients should be informed that the risk of developing bisphosphonate associated ONJ with routine oral therapy for osteoporosis or Paget's disease seems to be low, ranging between 1/10,000 and 1/100,000 per year
This risk should be balanced with the risk of osteoporotic fractures in that patient
Patients taking bisphosphonates should be encouraged to maintain good oral hygiene, and to have regular dental visits
They should be urged to report any oral problems to their dentist and physician
It is not necessary to recommend a dental examination before beginning oral bisphosphonate therapy or to otherwise alter routine dental management.

sdivas

Hello, my front lower gums were beginning to recede which is why my dentist suggested bonding. The bonding was done years ago and has maintained. My gums are healthy, the teeth are strong, and the bone is holding well. It may take a consultation chat so there is time to discuss the concerns with osteoporosis and dental health. Ask the dentist if they have knowledge about osteoporosis and bone loss. If not, ask if they will research on their own and/or offer to print out information. This is an area where we need to advocate for ourselves so we receive the best dental care our dentists can provide for our bone loss. Sandi

nobonesaboutit

Thank you sdivas. I just went to my old dentist today to see about what can be done w/ my broken crown. She is quite expensive- a cosmetic dentist but I was impressed by the info she gave me to start. I will be seeing her again in the near future. She wanted some labs done due to my autoimmune disease. Thank you again and Happy Holidays!

Darlene2

I had no idea this osteoporosis group was as active as it is!
It's pretty late here in Illinois so I'm not going to take the time to read all your replys.
I've been a member of this group for quite awhile, but I wasn't active. I think I will be now. love, Darlene

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OsteoporosisNOF: Download NOF's new brochure Hormones and Healthy Bones @ http://bit.ly/3Yg7tq

OsteoporosisNOF: NOF's CFC information: CFC #:11043; Osteoporosis Foundation, National

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OsteoporosisNOF: Volunteer to start an NOF support group to help yourself and others with osteoporosis in your community. Call (800) 231-4222 to learn more.

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