Many women today as well as a few men are frequently being diagnosed with osteoporosis. This is a condition in which the bones become brittle due to mineral loss. The decrease in bone density can lead to increased risk of fractures of hips and other areas. To help prevent this loss of bone density a class of drugs know as bisphosphonates, ie fosamax, where developed which reduce or prevent the loss of bone as we age. These drugs work by affecting how our bodies break down bone. An unwanted side effect of these drugs occurs in the bones of the jaws known as osteonecrosis. This occurs in patients who have trauma to the bones of the jaws such as tooth extraction and fractures. In patients who take bisphosphonates the ability of their jaw bones to heal is modified and lead to serious bone destruction in some patients. As simple blood test can be used to determine a patients risk of BRONJ before any tooth extractions are performed. Your dentist should be informed on any and all drugs taken by the patient to prevent any unwanted complications during and after treatment.

Technology is changing the was in which dentistry is performed everyday. One example is how lasers are being used in dentistry from everything from preparing teeth for fillings, surgical treatments on soft tissue, and treatment of periodontal disease. Lasers create energy in the form of light, this energy can be very highly controlled which allows for cutting tissue with minimal tissue damage, bleeding, pain, and post operative complications. Often laser procedures can be performed without anesthesia. Laser treated tissues heal quickly and patients enjoy not having to be numb for most procedures. As technology improves lasers will find even more applications in dentistry that improve the lives of patients and doctors.