ONJ is a common term used to reference Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, a painful bone related condition that results in death of the jaw. In this case, the affected jaw bone is unable to repair itself as there is no sufficient blood supply. Blood supply to the jaw bone is affected when an accidental injury during the course of a dental treatment, causes exposure of the jaw bone. Treatment is initiated to rectify the exposure of the bone but a delay in healing causes the bone tissues to die leading to a cut off in the blood supply to the region. Jaw bone without the capability to repair itself subsequently collapses leading to the condition called ONJ or Dead Jaw. ONJ causes both emotional agony and physical trauma as it creates facial deformation, extreme pain and the individual loses the capacity to chew food and perform oral activities in the absence of jaw bones.
One of the causes of ONJ is claimed to be the effect of treatment involving Biphosphonate drugs such as Fosamax. A study on Fosamax induced Osteonecrosis of Jaw in December 2008 reveals that prevalence of ONJ in patients under the treatment of Fosamax is understated in previous research studies. Fosamax is a Biphosphonate drug used in treating bone related disorders like fractures, thinning of bones (osteoporosis) etc. Fosamax can be injected or administered orally to the patients with bone infections or injuries.
Dental patients undergoing tooth extraction or setting of dentures are subjected to medical interventions in the form of drugs such as Fosamax to heal the dental trauma caused by exposure of jaw bone. When the jaw bone does not heal after 2 months, the patient is said to be suffering from Osteonecrosis of the jaw. Dental treatment without administration of Fosamax saw no incidence of ONJ while ONJ was seen in patients undergoing treatment with Fosamax.
In few cases, discontinuation of Biphosphonate drugs has resulted in healing of ONJ but only after several months after withdrawal. If you are a victim under the treatment of Biphosphonate drugs suffering from ONJ after a dental procedure or osteoporosis treatment, it is likely that there is compensation for your sufferings available to you through US courts. Get in touch with an experienced attorney to discuss your case and explore the options before you. . 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 on how to go about it, free of cost.