What do you need to know about metal allergy?
Many dental solutions, from fillings to implants, rely on the use of bio-compatible metals. These are special mental alloys that are generally safe to be used in the body and tend to be tolerated well by most patients. However, metal allergies do occur in some patients, despite the use of these safe metals. If you are considering a dental procedure that will make use of metal, it is important to speak with your dentist about metal allergies.
Most patients generally ask the following question when we start talking about metal allergy: “why and when does an allergic reaction to something occur?"
The answer to this is that a metal allergy occurs when our immune system begins to react too violently to a foreign substance that has got into our body (or even on our skin). This can be associated with the appearance of itchy, red spots or blisters on your skin. Sometimes, when we have an allergic reaction to metal, our body will remember the allergen and recognize it later on, so it takes up the fight against it any time it is introduced into the body. The more often we are confronted with this certain foreign substance, the greater the likelihood that our body will react to this encounter with an allergic reaction.
In our everyday lives, we encounter many metals that may trigger this bodily response. Jewelry is widely known to be the most common causative agents of metal allergies. Metal atoms from the jewelry we wear can get into our body, and when they do, they come into contact with the body's own proteins and modify them in such a way that our immune system identifies them as foreign substances. This naturally stimulates the defense mechanisms, and because of this, the patient begins to feel the unpleasant symptoms: the red spots on the skin, the itching, the blisters.
Dentistry and metals
Metals and the various metal alloys often play an important role in dental care, but that in itself cannot cause problems. The metals used have proven over the past decades that they are not only effective, but also safe. Let's just think of the metal-ceramic crown, which is one of the strongest and most stable solutions (both as a dental crown and as a dental bridge) and which is one of the most popular treatment options among patients, and the vast majority of the population has no reaction to these metals. Ions are released in a minimal amount from dental solutions made of metal or metal alloy, and in the majority of cases these do not cause any problems. Only patients suffering from a metal allergy, whose body reacts sensitively even to this minimal amount, are the exception.
Is metal allergy curable?
According to the current knowledge of medicine, metal allergy is an incurable condition that becomes even more pronounced with frequent provocation. Constant contact with the metal can in fact lead to the development of allergic symptoms, and these symptoms only cease if this constant contact is stopped.
In the case of a metal allergy, the only treatment method is that we refrain from using the (metallic) objects that are causing the symptoms, whether they are made of metal jewelry or any kind of metal dentures. In the case of a necklace or a pair of earrings, it's easy for us, as they can be removed with a simple movement. But what about dentures made of metal?
The allergic symptoms that arise because of the metals used in dentistry are usually late reactions and they usually only appear after weeks, months or even years. It is not difficult to see that metal allergy can lead to serious consequences if, in the case of dental treatment, it is discovered after weeks or months.
What are the symptoms of metal allergy?
The dental materials usually cause symptoms on the oral mucosa- which is the mucous membrane lining or “skin” inside of the mouth, cheeks, and lips- or on the skin, which can be a local reaction (in the oral cavity) or a skin reaction.
In the event that you have developed these sores after a dental procedure involving metal, you must have the problem checked by the dentists immediately. In view of the typical symptoms, targeted research is carried out to determine whether the symptoms are possibly caused by an allergen in the oral cavity.
The following symptoms can indicate a metal allergy:
- burning, stinging sensation on the lining of the mouth
- Ulcers (that may not heal)
- Inflammation of the gums and bleeding gums
- Tingling of the tongue
- Rashes
- Eczema
- Hair loss
- Burning mouth
- Fatigue
- increased body temperature
- Inflammation of the skin around the mouth
- sour, metallic taste in the mouth
Only a comprehensive allergy test can give us an unequivocal answer.
What can we do about metal allergy?
For patients who suffer from metal allergies, these symptoms can be prevented if your dentist avoids the simultaneous use of several metals. Unfortunately, only a few patients know about themselves that they are affected, so it is important to talk to your dentist if you have a known metal allergy. If you do not know that you suffer from a metal allergy and are therefore unsure, then you can talk to your dentist about taking an allergy test at a medical office in order to get an idea as to whether or not you have a metal allergy.
If the test confirms the existence of the problem, there are two effective solutions available to you through most dental offices:
- metal-free solutions (this usually involves the use of ceramics instead)
- and / or titanium implants
Safe solutions
Of the metals, nickel, chromium, cobalt, and copper are the most common causes of allergies, which is why they are used less and less in dental clinics, dental practices and dental laboratories. Nowadays, dental clinics have been using more and more metal-free solutions, and fortunately these are not only used for dental fillings, but also for various types of dentures. Talk to your dentist about the treatment alternatives listed below:
- Titanium implants
- Porcelain crowns
- Zirconium crowns and zirconium bridges
- or composite fillings
These dental solutions have proven their efficiency for a long time and generally have an excellent success rate.