DENTISTRY

Metal Allergy

Metal materials that are frequently used in dental procedures can trigger allergies if the patient is not aware that they have a metal allergy. Metals such as steel, titanium, nickel and gold are used in dental treatments. Common metallic fillings contain silver, zinc, tin, mercury and powdered alloy mixtures. It is important to avoid allergic reactions to the titanium material used in implants and placed in the jawbone.

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    Innovative and Safe Treatments for Metal Allergy

    Oral allergies manifest themselves with symptoms such as burning, tingling sensation, dry mouth, loss of taste. Metal allergy can cause anaphylactic type 1 or delayed type 4 allergic reactions. An anaphylactic type allergic reaction develops when a normally harmless allergen is re-encountered, this re-encounter may occur during a dental procedure. A delayed allergic reaction occurs 48-72 hours after exposure to the allergen.

    • Symptoms

      Allergic reactions such as itching, redness and swelling may occur to the metal components used in dental treatments.

    • Alternatives

      For patients with metal allergies, alternative materials to metal such as porcelain or zirconium can be used.

    What Causes Metal Allergy?

    Biocompatible metals are used in common dental procedures such as fillings and implants. Biocompatible metals are safe and well tolerated in the body. In some patients, however, an allergic reaction may occur. It occurs as a result of the natural defense mechanisms working as a result of the oral tissue reacting very violently to the metal, i.e. foreign material, placed in the dental procedure.

    The patient may have previously undergone a dental procedure with a metal material, but the metal allergy may manifest itself later. It may also manifest itself a few days after the first contact with a dental material containing metal.

    What are the Symptoms of Metal Allergy?

    Symptoms of metal allergy may appear in the mouth, lips and gums as a result of an allergic reaction in the oral mucosa or skin. Symptoms can be listed as follows:

    • Mouth ulcer
    • Difficulty in taste
    • Burning, stinging sensation in and around the area where the allergic reaction develops
    • Inflammation and bleeding in the gums
    • Tingling in the tongue
    • Metallic taste in the mouth
    • Edema of the lips or cheek
    • Injuries to the palate
    • Lichenoid reactions
    • Erythema multiforme

    The lichenoid reaction, a dermatitis, often develops on the mucous membrane of the cheek and sometimes these ulcers are located inside the lesion. In the case of erythema multiforme, both the skin and the oral mucosa can be affected. It begins with swelling and redness of the mucosa, the typical skin lesion is a target-like lesion consisting of red skin rings surrounded by an area of normal colored skin. These reactions may impair functions such as chewing and speech.

    What is a Metal Allergy Test?

    To diagnose metal allergy in a patient, a metal allergy test is performed, of which there are two types: a skin test or a lymphocyte transformation test. The lymphocyte transformation test is the most commonly used test, especially for late-type allergic reactions to metals. The skin test is also known as a patch test. A group of metal materials is applied to the skin and the reactant is identified. The lymphocyte transformation test measures the change in the number of lymphocytes, immune cells in the blood, as a result of contact with the substance to which the patient is sensitive.

    Curiosities about the Metal Allergy Test

    The patient may have had a previous dental procedure involving metal materials, but the metal allergy may appear later or the reaction may occur within a few days after the procedure.

    Reactions such as sores in the mouth, loss of taste, edema and inflammation of the lips after a period of contact with a metal material can dictate a metal allergy.

    A doctor should be consulted after a metal allergy reaction has occurred, but if it is missed, allergy-related mouth sores may worsen.

    The treatment method for metal allergy is not to use the material that causes a high sensitivity reaction in the patient. Instead, materials such as ceramic and porcelain can be preferred in dental operations.

    Patients who think they have a metal allergy and recognize the symptoms should see a doctor before they have difficulty in functions such as chewing and speaking in their daily lives. If the presence of allergy is already known, it should not be neglected to inform the dentist. For materials that can be used instead of metal, you can make an appointment with your dentist.