Dead Jaw is a severe bone disease that affects the jaws. When the blood flow is restricted, the jaw bone tissue dies, as result, causing infection, swelling and teeth loosening. Often people need long term antibiotic therapy or surgery to remove the dying bone tissue.
Fosamax a bisphosphonate drug has been linked to dead jaw. Other bisphosphonate drugs are Aredia and Zometa. An increasing number of cases of bisphosphonate related dead jaw are being reported to the U.S. FDA.
Women suffering from post menopausal bone mass deprivation or loss of bone density (Osteoporosis) are prescribed Fosamax.
Millions of women suffering from Osteoporosis have been prescribed Fosamax, after it was approved in 1995. FDA does require that bisphosphonate labeling should highlight the link between the drugs and Osteonecrosis. Current research (as of June 2006) shows that 94% of published cases, concern patients taking nitrogen-containing intravenous bisphosphonates to treat multiple myeloma and metastatic carcinoma to the skeleton. Furthermore, a full 60% of cases affect patients who recently had dental surgery. Cancer patients taking intravenous bisphosphonates have a higher risk of Osteonecrosis of the jaw
Symptoms of dead jaw are:
- Loose teeth
- Heaviness / numbness in the jaw
- Pain and swelling in gums/jaw
- Gum and jaw infections
- Slow healing of gums
- Lot of gum loss
- Bone exposure
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, immediately consult your doctor. Untreated dead jaw can lead to irreversible joint collapse within the jaw.
If you know someone who might be exhibiting the symptoms talked about, please consult the physician on investigating bisphosphonate drug usage as a possible cause. Alongside, try to get in touch with an experienced attorney to advice on lawsuits and legal proceedings. If you are not sure who to contact, just fill out the form given in this page or give us a call and we would provide you with the required expert advice free of cost on how to go about it.
