Osteoporosis and Dental Work

Posted by skbd @skbd, Jul 31 4:12pm

I have completed 12 Evenity shots with No problems. I will begin Prolia at the end of August. I need a tooth extracted and have an appointment for August 8. The oral surgeon recommended doing it before starting Prolia. Has anyone had a tooth extracted and followed with an implant while on Prolia? I am not sure if I should have the implant.

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Good morning, sebutler
Your preference is sensible, as long as you don't have or develop reflux. It is true that IV bisphosphonates like Reclast are more likely to cause ONJ. Not only do they achieve higher absorption by bypassing the stomach, but they are given in higher doses. One injection of Reclast is thought to be effective for two years. But the risk is remains small. And it is a cumulative risk. If you spend two years building avascular bone, stopping the medication doesn't remove the collection of risky bone. It is thought that the risk is incurred after long use. So now the recommendation is to stop Fosamax after 3 to 5 years. You are in a great starting position because you have spent two years growing the best bone-- Tymlos-bone.
It isn't acutally the bisphosphonate that remains clad to the bone that causes the risk. It is the weakness of the bone caused by a long term cladding of the bone.
"Oral biphosphonates rarely cause osteonecrosis of the jaw. They are less aggressive than intravenous BP, and the osteonecrosis caused by oral BP responds better to treatment. Oral BPs are less liposoluble, limiting their intestinal absorption, resulting in a lower accumulation in the bone.[9]" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534771/#:~:text=Epidemiology,Osteoporosis%20and%20Oncology%20Patients
I'm glad for your choice for two other reasons. You are less likely to have the pain and inflammation side effects with a daily pill. And if you do develop those side effects, you can quit the medication.
A priority for me (might be a quirk in my thinking) would be to return to a bone building medication after a brief pause (maybe only months) from Tymlos. To that end and for love of osteoclasts, I would take risedronate. It is less effective and less likely to cause side effects.
Your specialist at Cleveland Clinic knows a lot about your body that I couldn't even guess.
If she does persuade you to take Reclast, bargain for a lower dose at least down to 4mg from 5, and try to get a longer infusion time with dilution of the medication at least 30 minutes.

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Profile picture for gowalking @gowalking

That is exactly how I hit the nightmare of osteoporosis.
I was told to go off of it before extraction/implant, which I did. I was due for my next dose of Prolia about 6 weeks after dental procedure. My doctor said it would be fine.
I had the tooth extracted and let that heal then the bone graft, let that heal and then the implant.
That whole process took about 8 weeks.
Once you stop Prolia, your bones deteriorate rapidly. PLEASE READ UP ON THAT.
After four weeks off Prolia, I had my first compression fracture. 5 more followed rapidly within weeks. Another two at one time followed by three more all at once.
The hospital had me checked by an Orthopeadic Spine Specialist who explained all this to me, telling me my bones were so soft, he was able to move them.
I've had two surgeries so far. He immediately sent me to their bone clinic where I am now treated by a doctor who specializes strictly in Osteoporsis. I am now on a treatment of Tymlos for two years. I have seven months to go and my bones show remarkable improvement. I've gone from osteoporosis to low bone mass in all measured areas. I am getting annual dexa scans to monitor progress. I'm not sure what I will be taking at the end of two years, but I will have to go on something.
PLEASE do read everything you can find about stopping treatment!!
I will try to find some information for you and will post it this evening.

Let me also mention the snowballing of other issues this has caused. I now have very thin jaw bones and need two implants but the doctor is not sure there will be enough bone to hold them. My face has sagged and I drool. The pain from the fractures was awful. I could not lay down. I slept in a chair. It was too painful to lift my legs to rest them on the ottoman. That led to blood pooling at my ankles, appointments with a vascular surgeon and ultimately vascular surgery. Now I have bulging veins and must wear ugly compression socks forever. I have a huge hump in my back which makes it impossible to lay flat, wear a bra that hooks in the back, sit in a wooden chair or look nice in blouses or tops, (baggy shirts are my new wardrobe). At the completion of my Tymlos treatment, we will begin to consider placing rods in my back to straighten it. I have lost 3" in height and gained a muffin top. I WAS 5'4" and 110# now I am 5'1". You would be amazed at the difference that is. I cannot reach in cabinets. All slacks and dresses have to be altered. I had a very tight, flat stomach. That 3" had to fall somewhere, so it fell right to my waist along with my boobs!
Ask your doctor if you can go off Prolia and on somethimg else before dental work.
I wish you the best and will be thinking of you. Just do your research, get a second or third opinion.

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Everyone should be aware of jaw issues with Prolia and OTHER osteoporosis medications.
I adjusted my 6-month dental checkups to be six weeks before each Prolia injection. So, if there is a problem my dentist can work on it towards the end of the 6 months when it is safer.

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Profile picture for 2reddogs @2reddogs

I had been on Prolia 5 years and needed a tooth extraction and a titanium implant. Long story, but my Rheumatologist gave the Periodontist the OK. Little or no warning from Rheumatologist and none from my Periodontist until a few minutes before he pulled the tooth regarding possible issues; I almost backed out of the procedure. My periodontist took several x-rays of my jaw/tooth over a 7 month period, checking for any issue pre and post extraction. He had me wait 7 months to complete the procedure and then another two weeks before having the crown.
I have since done my own research reading reputable scientific journals. It is recommended that you have the tooth pulled and implant procedure as close to the end of a Prolia injection (5.5-6 months post injection). There are additional issues for those with cancer that have had radiation so it is best to consult with a bone specialist or experienced oral surgeon. Ask all the questions you can, explain your worries share journals with them ask the what ifs….
Unfortunately my rheumatologists and periodontist were more concerned about jaw necrosis than the Prolia “holiday” I was on for 3 months post dental work. I am 71 and have never broken a bone in my body until I fractured my L-1 and L-3 not due to dental work but due to not getting back on Prolia within a shorter period. My rheumatologist never discussed the need to get right back on Prolia, even after she had me get an x-ray due to back pain 10 days before I fractured. I have since shared the research regarding Prolia and dental procedures and given it to my dentist, periodontist and rheumatologist. I am certain from my conversations w each they had little understanding of the side effects from Prolia when getting invasive dental work.
I have an appt. with an Endocronologist that specializes in bone health in February. I am hoping to find a way to relay off of Prolia. (She had a 12 month waitlist). Sadly knowledgable physicians are few and far between and these bone meds are fairly new and research is starting to get published. I hope my story empowers you in some way❤️

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Thank you and good luck with your journey! I agree it’s difficult to find someone educated with osteoporosis to help better understand it.

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This is an important topic for anyone living with osteoporosis, since most of us will end up using an antiresorptive at some point - whether short or long term. MRONJ (Medication-Related OsteoNecrosis of the Jaw) is rare, but if it happens to you, it's 100% your reality.

Here is a publication by AAOMS (2022, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons) I'd like to share, which includes MRONJ incidence rates for 3 different osteodrug subclasses - bisphosphonates, Prolia (denosomab) and Evenity (romosozumab). It discussed risk factors, preventative measures and treatments. I think it's a good read for anyone who is into this topic:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://aaoms.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/mronj_position_paper.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj09JP74eyOAxWQOjQIHczOJLsQjJEMegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw3FJYzfaGrMTFLJzYuTJ8Jo
Personally, bisphosphonates seems a bit easier to manage over time - you can pause or take a holiday if needed. With prolia, especially long-term use, things can get trickier. If MRONJ happens, it can put you in a treatment dilemma - do you stop (which calls for a strong antiresorptive like reclast that isn't exactly MRONJ-friendly), or keep going?

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Profile picture for sebutler @sebutler

So much good information in this thread -- thanks @gently and others. @gently, do you have any information on whether Fosamax or Reclast is "safer" -- meaning less likely to cause ONJ??? I haven't been able to find much info, and my doc (a specialist at Cleveland Clinic) is recommending Reclast once I stop Tymlos. According to her, both stay in your bones, so one is not better than the other. I was thinking Fosamax would be better because you could stop taking it if you needed invasive dental work.

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For how long would you have to stop Fosonax in order to have dental work? I heard this drug can cause bad reflux issues?

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Profile picture for jan123456789 @jan123456789

For how long would you have to stop Fosonax in order to have dental work? I heard this drug can cause bad reflux issues?

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I hear different numbers -- 5 weeks or more.

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Profile picture for jessicamc @jessicamc

I had an extraction & implant before Prolia. I’ve had 4 Prolia injections and recently needed a root canal. The endodontist said he would send me to an oral surgeon, but an oral surgeon would refuse to treat me because of Prolia. The endodontist prescribed amoxicillin for ten days as a preventative measure. I started it two days before the root canal. He filled the interior of the tooth with calcium and added a temporary seal. I wait four weeks and return to see how it is working. Best case scenario I will need a new crown. If the tooth doesn’t look better, grind the tooth down to just below the gum line, seal off, and over time the body will absorb what is left of the tooth.
Implants are no longer an option due to Prolia. I regret going on it. I’m 79 and my mother had osteoporosis and refused to take Fosomax. She fell and broke several vertebrae. Her bones were so brittle drs couldn’t help her. She died 4 weeks after the fall. Watching her suffer made me want to try something, anything. Prolia is about as good as some other choices but dental issues create serious problems. I’m due for a 5th Prolia injection late September. I would like an alternative. Having a Dexa scan this month to see if two years of Prolia helped.

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Don’t switch to Reclast, same dental issues.
I’m having trouble deciding what to do right now.
You take one medication thinking it will help, but you find out you have more problems that need to be addressed
Good luck!

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I am going to ask the endodontist to X-ray my teeth and see if any other teeth look high risk, if so I will get that done when I am at the 6-7 months after last Prolia. That would be Oct-Nov.
I asked ChatGPT for options, recommendations if I quit Prolia. Also recommendations for doctors in Savannah & Jacksonville that focus on osteoporosis. It was an extensive answer and asked me if I also wanted customer reviews on the doctors. I would be willing to travel to states along the eastern U.S. if I can find a practice that is highly regarded.
I go to Mayo in Jacksonville for another health issue. There are a couple of doctors there, but it is very difficult to get an appointment in a different department. I’ve had a couple of friends who recently tried to make an appointment and were told not taking new patients at this time.

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I read these stories with great interest..haven’t yet been diagnosed, but hear mostly bad things about meds…am researching and reading on connectMayo to learn more before the possibility of OP… some docs say exercise is key, some people recommend vegetable based calcium… it is all confusing…any clarity on the subject helps..l thank you all for your stories, which docs don’t want us to hear, but I will keep at this to be well-educated on this tricky subject.

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Profile picture for sebutler @sebutler

So much good information in this thread -- thanks @gently and others. @gently, do you have any information on whether Fosamax or Reclast is "safer" -- meaning less likely to cause ONJ??? I haven't been able to find much info, and my doc (a specialist at Cleveland Clinic) is recommending Reclast once I stop Tymlos. According to her, both stay in your bones, so one is not better than the other. I was thinking Fosamax would be better because you could stop taking it if you needed invasive dental work.

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I was also wondering about weight gain regarding any of the rebound-after-prolia drugs and the dreaded hair loss propensity? I cancelled my Reclast appt and will take Prolia for 6 months to make a decision between transitioning to Relax vs any of the others in its class, also to see which one has the least "holiday" from it you need to take, in case of dental work.

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