Dental patch test results and clinical relevance: 10 years of retrospective experience

Background: Patch testing with dental screening series [dental patch test (DPT)] is used to detect triggers for mucositis and/or oral lichen planus as well as to detect contact sensitization due to substances and restorative materials used mostly in dentistry. Aim: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the DPT results performed in our clinic in the last 10 years and to assess their clinical relevance. Methods: Data of 127 patients who had DPT in our allergy unit between January 2010 and July 2020 were included in our study. In our clinic, DPTs were applied to patients mostly when they have history of metal allergies, oral lichen planus especially close to dental materials, chronic mucositis, and history of allergy after dental procedures. The forms routinely used in our allergy unit were examined retrospectively. Results: The most common five allergens were nickel (II) sulfate hexahydrate (29.9%), palladium chloride (18.9%), sodium tetrachloropalladate (II) hydrate (18.9%), gold (I) sodium thiosulfate dihydrate (12.6%), and mercury (10.2%). Fifty-eight of 71 patients with positive PT had a current relevance according to the COADEX coding system (P < 0.05). Of the 38 individuals with nickel sensitization, 36 were females and 2 were males, and this result was statistically significant (P = 0.034). Conclusion: Nickel, palladium, sodium tetrachloropalladate, gold, and mercury, which are frequently found in dental prosthesis and materials, were the most common allergens in our study and this is in accordance with the literature.