engleski

Prevalence of titanium and nickel allergies in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment

Objective: Titanium is a component of some orthodontic alloys but considered to be a non- allergic material. However, nickel is a common allergen and integral part of almost every orthodontic metal alloy. Most of allergic reactions in the oral cavity are contact allergic reactions which are considered a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. Patch test is considered a method of choice in diagnostics of delayed-type hypersensitivity. The aim of this research was to assess the prevalence of titanium and nickel allergy in orthodontically treated patients and associate symptoms. Methods: A total of 200 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were invited to participate and 181 accepted (67% female). Patch test was performed on the upper arm skin and left for 48 hours. Allergens included nickel sulphate, titanium, titanium dioxide, titanium oxalate, titanium nitride and petrolatum as control. Readings were performed after 2, 4 and 7 days. Signs and symptoms associated with allergies were assessed. Results: Positive patch tests results to titanium were found in 2 subjects (1.1%) (1 to titanium oxalate, 1 to titanium dioxide), while 18 subjects (9.9%) were positive to nickel sulphate. One subject was positive to both nickel and titanium (titanium dioxide). Hypersensitivity to titanium was only found in female patients while hypersensitivity to nickel sulphate was found more frequently in female (12.3%) than in male (5.1%) subjects. Allergic subjects did not present burning mouth, dryeness, swelling, pain, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes nor changes of taste and smell more often in comparison with non- allergic subjects but they had a history of contact dermatitis more frequently than the non- allergic ones. Conclusion: Prevalence of titanium and nickel allergy in subjects in orthodontic treatment is low. Signs and symptoms are often mild and not highly noticeable.

allergy ; hypersensitivity ; nickel ; patch test ; titanium

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