Impact of metal allergies upon dental implantology

Contact allergies to metals-in particular to nickel, palladium, cobalt, mercury, and gold-have been reported in association with intolerance reactions to dental materials. Typical clinical manifestations are contact stomatitis or lichen planus. In the case of a suspected contact allergy, the patch test offers a standardized diagnostic approach. In patients with allergies to nickel, cobalt, or chromium, titanium- or ceramic-based materials are regarded as nonproblematic alternatives. There is strong doubt that titanium allergies even exist. It might, however, be possible that nickel contamination in titanium implants could provoke implant intolerance in sensitized individuals.