Manufactured by Roche Laboratories, Boniva treats and prevents bone loss. Boniva falls under the drug class bisphosphonates, which are largely used in fertilizers and laundry soaps. While Bonvia and similar drugs prevent bone loss, they also impede the growth of healthy osteophytes, causing a prevention of new bone growth.

Many Boniva users are developing a side effect known as osteonecrosis or dead jaw. Osteonecrosis occurs when bone tissue in the jaw does not heal after minor dental trauma, such as tooth extractors or crown placement. Some common symptoms of osteonecrosis are gum infections, swelling of the gums, loose teeth, numbness or heaviness in the jaw and exposed bone. When the jaw bone becomes exposed, it can lead to rotting, infection and possible bone death. Unfortunately, the damage cause by dead jaw cannot be fixed.