Researchers Uncover Link Between Osteoporosis Drugs and Jaw Infection

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According to the April issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, researchers at the USC School of Dentistry say that they have identified the slimy culprits killing the jawbones of some people taking drugs that treat Osteoporosis.

A mix of bacteria and sticky extracellular material called "microbial biofilms" are causing jaw tissue infections in patients taking bisphosphonate drugs (a.k.a. Fosamax, Boniva and Actonel) said Parish Sedghizadeh, lead researcher and assistant clinical professor at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry.

Sedghizadeh said there have been increasing reports of osteonecrosis (bone death) of the jaw in patients who have been taking the drugs for osteoporosis or for treatment from the bone-wasting effects of cancer. He said he decided to investigate further after seeing patients in USC dentistry clinics who had the unusual jaw infection.

"This is the first study that identifies microbial biofilms in the bone of bisphosphonate patients who have osteonecrosis of the jaw," Sedghizadeh said. "Now that we've know biofilms are behind the infection of the jaw, we are studying ways to effectively treat or prevent the osteonecrosis," Sedghizadeh said.