Is 'bone death' of the jaw the next health epidemic facing seniors?

Despite little publicity surrounding the ailment, seniors may be facing an emerging epidemic in the form of bisphosphonate osteonecrosis ("bone death"), a debilitating ailment of the jawbone that patients are predisposed to, through common treatments for the more well-known ailment osteoporosis. Experts in the field of otolaryngology and dentistry will discuss this emerging problem and its diagnosis and treatment at the 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, in Chicago, IL. With over half of Americans over the age of 50 being treated for low bone mass and osteoporosis (more than 44 million people), many are prescribed oral or intravenous bisphosphonates for treatment. However, these treatments predispose these patients to bisphosphonate osteonecrosis, an ailment first identified only five years ago, which can result in pain, swelling, or infection of the gums or jaw, gums that will not healing, loose teeth, numbness or a feeling of heaviness in the jaw, drainage, and exposed bone.

The discussion will also include perspective from the dental community, which has also expressed concern about the risk.

Source: American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery