Jaw Bone Death and Fosamax-an Update

Since the initial news broke about a link between the arthritis drug Fosamax and jaw bone death or osteonecrosis, a panel of medical and pharmacological experts has been convened to study the issue.  In most instances, the resulting jaw bone death has occurred after Fosamax patients have had dental surgery or tooth extraction.  As a result of the panel discussions, a new moniker for the phenomenon has been added:  bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis, or BON.