Table of Contents
What does jaw necrosis look like?
Symptoms of ONJ can range from very mild to severe. ONJ looks like an area of exposed bone in your mouth. It can cause tooth or jaw pain and swelling in your jaw. Severe symptoms include infection in your jaw bone.
What are symptoms of osteonecrosis of the jaw?
What are the symptoms of ONJ?
- pain or swelling in the mouth.
- non-healing of a tooth socket after removal of teeth.
- loosening of teeth.
- an area of exposed bone in the mouth.
- poor healing or infection of the gums.
- numbness or the feeling of heaviness in the jaw.
- discharge of pus.
Is osteonecrosis of the jaw curable?
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a rare side effect of some drugs for osteoporosis and cancer. But early detection, specialized dentistry, and oral surgery can cure it. Patients with osteoporosis are often prescribed medications that can help prevent severe bone fractures.
How does necrosis of the jaw start?
Osteonecrosis of the jaw, commonly called ONJ, occurs when the jaw bone is exposed and begins to starve from a lack of blood. Most cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw happen after a dental extraction. Osteo means bone and necrosis means death.
How long does osteonecrosis take to heal?
It takes a few months for the bone to heal and, during this time, you will need to use a walker or crutches to avoid putting stress on the damaged bone. Patients with successful core decompression procedures typically return to walking unassisted in about 3 months and may have complete pain relief.
What are the stages of osteonecrosis?
Stage 1 has a normal x-rays but MRI reveals the dead bone. Stage 2 can be seen on regular x-ray but there is no collapse of the femoral ball. Stage 3 shows signs of collapse (called a crescent sign) on x-ray. Stage 4 has collapse on x-ray and signs of cartilage damage (osteoarthritis).
Can osteonecrosis be fixed?
With osteonecrosis, the healing process is usually ineffective and the bone tissues break down faster than the body can repair them. If left untreated, the disease progresses, and the bone may develop a crack whereby the bone can get compressed (collapse) together (similar to compressing a snowball).