Dental Tribune U.S. Edition

Editor’s Corner DENTAL TRIBUNE | March 20114A approximately a 98 to 99 percent acceptance. The millions of patients that have osteoporosis and need assis- tance are the ones that we are trying to aid, not deter. Let our profession encourage and inform patients of all the facts pertaining to bisphosphonates. Indeed, I have apprehensions of unknown pos- sibilities for those taking various medications. As such, in the case of oral bisphosphonates, what might be the accumulative effects of tak- ing this medication for five or 10 years? A recent report from University of Southern California showed a 96 percent success rate of people using oral bisphosphonates with osteoporosis. A new acronym for bisphosphonate-associated osteo- necrosis, BON, has become popu- lar in discussions. It behooves us to share this knowledge with our patients. In particular, we must clearly note the difference in administration of bisphosphonates via an IV or orally when discussing the use and safety of these drugs. So-called “drug holidays” are not the answer. There is no sup- porting data that stopping the use of bisphosphonate medication for a set amount of time reduces the risk of developing BON. Perhaps standardizing a bone turnover marker test and getting a base line of bone metabolism, a DTX information gathering radiograph — definitely as the American Dental Association sug- gests with osteoporosis — and trying to avoid oral pathology by undergoing regular oral examina- tions by a dentist and increasing good oral hygienic techniques by using power toothbrushes or hand toothbrushes, and avoiding alco- hol rinses would decrease risk. There are millions of people who need, or will need, treatment for osteoporosis. Let us help our- selves with knowledge, not fear. Let us start by recognizing the different administartion methods, oral as opposed to IV, as well as their dosage differences. Perhaps with knowledge and statistical studies we can help eliminate this fear. DT AD f DT page 3A Fig. 2 (Illustration provided by Dr. David Hoexter) D r . David L. Hoexter is director of the Inter- n a t i o n a l Academy for Den- tal Facial Esthetics, and a clinical professor in peri- odontics at Temple University, Philadelphia. He is a diplomate of implantology in the Interna- tional Congress of Oral Implan- tologists as well as the American Society of Osseointegration, and a diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry. Hoexter lectures throughout the world and has published nationally and internationally. He has been awarded 11 fellowships, including FACD, FICD and Pierre Fauchard. He maintains a practice at 654 Madison Ave., New York City, limited to periodontics, implantology and esthetic surgery. He can be reached at (212) 355-0004 or drdavidlh@aol.com. About the author