Has anyone with Osteoporosis had resorpsion of teeth?

Posted by drsuefowler @drsuefowler, Jan 8 9:22am

I just went to the dentist and found that I have 2 more teeth with starting resorption. I have had 2 others in the past, one that was replaced by an implant. I wonder if this is the same process that occurs with Osteoporosis. I have Osteoporosis and have broken 5 bones in 18 months. I took a half dose of Tymlos for 10 months and now have been on Forteo for about a month. The dentist thought that these new resorpsions were quite recent. Could these anabolics be responsible? Or is it because I have cut back on my calcium supplements due to having too much calcium in my urine?

My CTX has been consistently higher than my P1NP. Most recent results were CTX 1200 and P1NP 190. This ratio is similar to when I started meds, which was CTX 519 and P1NP 78. One Endo has prescribed Evista in combination with Forteo. I have not started it yet. I take Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism and from what I've read it is contracted by Evista. This endo has also suggested Strontium. My dentist didn't seem to know anything about Strontium.

Having the new teeth resorpsions makes me even more worried about my Osteoporosis. Even though I hate taking medication and try to be as natural as possible, I am now considering the Evista and Strontium in case it may make my teeth and bones stronger.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Theodorabee | @theodorastronger | Jan 19 8:59pm

In reply to @drsuefowler "@theodorastronger, Did the root canals save your teeth. Did you need to have crowns or implants?" + (show)

After spending thousands of $ I was told by the endodontist there are no guarantees, but the purpose of the RC is to preserve the 2 teeth as long as possible. If I lose them I'll have to get an implant (not going to!) or some kind of bridge. I'm very careful to be gentle with the teeth! After the RC I went back to my dentist, who filled them, sort of like a cap.

susyt | @susyt | Mar 18 8:33am

My teeth are shrinking, along with the rest of me! I also have gum recession, although that started in my twenties, 40 years ago. My new dentist is completely unconcerned; he just shrugs and says, "As we age our teeth and gums deteriorate, and we can lose teeth." I am flabbergasted. On the one hand, I understand that aging also affects teeth and gums. On the other hand, he seems to believe there is nothing we can do about it. He doesn't even ask if I floss, did not recommend a periodontist, was unconcerned about osteoporosis.
So, some of you have had successful tooth implants? I worry about whether my jaw will be dense/strong enough to do implants when the time comes. Which, according to my dentist, is inevitable!

loriesco | @loriesco | Mar 19 12:34pm

My expensive dentist informed me that my teeth are made of dentin and that works on different mechanisms than bone. I am on Tymlos/Reclast which was shown to not effect dental needs. (lucky thing - I broke 2 teeth and needed extractions!) Its probably not related it is just happening at the same time. Call your dentists - I called two of mine. they were happy to talk to me on the phone about it!

spunkyspinster | @spunkyspinster | Mar 20 8:53am

In reply to @susyt "My teeth are shrinking, along with the rest of me! I also have gum recession, although..." + (show)

It sounds like you might wish to consider seeking a new dentist whose concerns mirror yours or at least are on the same track. Dental health is a serious matter and while aging is a natural process, standing by with nonchalant acceptance is not. Ask around to see who your friends and family might recommend.

susyt | @susyt | Mar 20 9:37am

In reply to @spunkyspinster "It sounds like you might wish to consider seeking a new dentist whose concerns mirror yours..." + (show)

You are right. This dentist only looked in my mouth briefly once, in 2 years. I go because the hygienist is gentle and does a good job, but he is disconnected!

dmshope | @dmshope | Mar 20 2:31pm

Yes I had tooth reabsorption but dentist had not correlated it with osteoporosis. I also had idiopathich tooth pain that dentist could not figure out - I now believe it was due to osteo. As soon as I got on tymlo, the pain subsided.

Be mindful to evaluate your gums if you plan on implants. In some instants they are fine to do, however Osteoporosis can effect the jaw and make implants unstable and unsuccessful; is bone too soft to grab securely onto the post.

Sedning postive energy that you find a good path that brings you healing and strength.

kristie2 | @kristie2 | Mar 21 2:18pm

In reply to @dmshope "Yes I had tooth reabsorption but dentist had not correlated it with osteoporosis. I also had..." + (show)

I also had 2 episodes of tooth reabsorption. One was years ago that required an implant and then last year had another episode. She was able to save my tooth so far with a root canal and fixing the reabsorption . I was on Evenity at the time.

drsuefowler | @drsuefowler | Mar 21 4:17pm

In reply to @kristie2 "I also had 2 episodes of tooth reabsorption. One was years ago that required an implant..." + (show)

My endodontist didn't want to take care of the resorption. He said that he would do the root canal and then I would have to go to a periodontist to have the gum pulled back to fix the resorption. That didn't sound good to me, a lot of pain and hassle. He recommended just watching it, like the dentist. I think that means that some day I'm going to lose my tooth.

kristie2 | @kristie2 | Mar 21 8:40pm

In reply to @drsuefowler "My endodontist didn't want to take care of the resorption. He said that he would do..." + (show)

Yes you will lose that tooth if nothing is done about it. I also had to have a gum graft on that tooth. I was seeing the endodontist and the periodontist. It was not that painful.

drsuefowler | @drsuefowler | Mar 22 8:06am

In reply to @kristie2 "Yes you will lose that tooth if nothing is done about it. I also had to..." + (show)

kristie2, Which professional fixed the resorption? I think my endodontist only wanted to do the root canal? I had a CT scan which made it look worse than just the xray picture. I have 2 maybe 3 teeth with resorpsions. This just happened since I've been on Tymlos/Forteo. Thanks for letting me know you went through this procedure and it was not that painful. I probably need to decide what to do now before I have to take a biphosphonate to hold in gains.