Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) is a disease where the jaw bone does not heal from injury. This disease has also been known as Dead Jaw or Phossy Jaw. The sustained injury can be external or invasive, but the jaw bone itself cannot heal and ONJ may ultimately lead to invasive surgery for removal of dead bone tissue. Invasive injuries can come from something as simple as a dental appointment or a tooth extraction while an external injury might be a break in the jaw bone from trauma or accident. In either situation, if the jaw is exposed in any way, it becomes quickly infected and may fracture.
Recently, it has been discovered that there is a link between osteonecrosis and Fosamax, a drug in the bisphosphonate class. Drugs that are in the bisphosphonate family work to counteract the resorption of bone. In some people, the bones’ density and strength are lost as osteoclasts break down within the bones. Bisphosphonate drugs like Fosamax stop this break down (or significantly slows it) thereby reducing bone fragility. Fosamax is a medication used to treat specific kinds of osteo-arthritis and it is given to cancer patients to strengthen bones and to prevent cancer cells from metastasizing in the bones and bone tissue.
In most cases where a patient has been affected by Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, the patient has been using the medication in cancer treatment and has been given the drug over an extended period of time, intravenously and in significant amounts. Osteonecrosis of the Jaw has also been linked to dental work, specifically to tooth extraction. In fact, the tie between Fosamax and Osteonecrosis of the Jaw was discovered by dentists and oral surgeons.
Because the instances of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw have been so rare and the benefits of Fosamax and other bisphosphonate drugs is clear, there has been no recall of the drug, although warnings are now better publicized. If you are going to take Fosamax regularly, it is now recommended that you seek dental treatment well before you begin taking the medication. If you are taking Fosamax, specifically for treatment of cancer and you are taking larger doses through intravenous feed, you should avoid invasive dental work like a tooth extraction until the medication is out of your system. Most importantly, you should speak to your doctor, dentist or oral surgeon before you have any procedures to ensure that you are safe and that they understand your condition and your medical history properly.
If you have developed Osteonecrosis of the Jaw as a result of having a dental procedure while on the drug Fosamax, or if you have suffered because someone you love has been affected by osteonecrosis and bisphosphonates, and you were not properly warned of the potential risk, you may have the option to seek compensation and redress. This disease has been linked to this medication, so the drug company may be liable to pay for your medical expenses and any loss of pay and pain and suffering their drug may have caused. You should seek out a reputable medical malpractice or drug attorney to help you asses your case and your individual situation.