Dental Implants Metal Allergy
When you are talking to the dentist about your tooth replacement options if you are missing a tooth or damaged a tooth, then you most certainly have talked about a dental implant. This solution is popular, low risk, and works as closely to a natural tooth as compared to anything else in modern dentistry. Dental implants are different from dentures and bridges because it surgically places a post to function as a tooth root.
Traditionally dental implants have use titanium as the preferred metal for the post that is implanted in the jaw bone below the gum line. But if you have had an allergic reaction to metals in the past, does that mean you can’t have a dental implant?
When your body is allergic to something, it means your body’s immune system is having an overreaction to a foreign substance. For some people it is strawberries and for other people it is metals. You can be allergic to anything. And your allergic response can be as mild as a rash to as life threatening as major organs shutting down.
When people demonstrate allergies to metals, they usually have allergies to specific kinds of metals. In terms of nickel, about 17% of women and 3% of men are allergic which can be problematic with belt buckles and costume jewelry. A smaller percentage of people are allergic to cobalt and chromium. The common allergic reactions to metals are rashes or other skin reactions where the metal touches the skin. If you get a piercing with a metal you are allergic to, the body will reject the piercing. In more serious cases, if you get a joint replacement with a metal you are allergic to, your body could reject the new joint.
When it comes to dentistry, metals play an important role. The most common is the dental amalgam that is used for dental fillings. The amalgam is a combination of a precious metal like gold or silver and other metals like copper, tin, and even mercury in small amounts. This dental amalgam has been safely used for decades with very rare cases of allergic reactions. Those few people experienced inflammation or rashes.
Dental implants rely on titanium because it was shown in the 1950s to be able to fuse with bone. Titanium is considered biocompatible for this reason and is widely used in medicine and dentistry. It was first used in a dental implant in the 1960s and there has been decades upon decades of research on titanium dental implants since then. With proper care, the bond between the titanium and your jaw bone will allow the dental implant to stay in place indefinitely giving another reason why titanium is such a popular choice for dental implants.
How Does a Metal Allergy Affect Dental Implants?
Even if you are a person with an allergy to more than one metal, which is very rare, it would be even more rare for you to be allergic to titanium. According to one study, about 0.6% of people are allergic to titanium. If you have reservations about your potential reaction to the titanium implant, there is testing available to use before your procedure. This test is called the MELISA test and it uses your white bloods to test reactions to titanium. The test will measure your body’s immune response to titanium. A less accurate skin patch allergy test can be performed so you may want to use the MELISA test to be certain of your results.
If you have a metal allergy or a titanium allergy, you may still be a good candidate for a dental implant. For those people with metal allergies, be sure to talk to the dentist about the brand of the titanium implant. The company may use a titanium alloy and the additional metals could cause you to experience hives or discomfort. Titanium has been used across so many medical and dental procedures do to its biocompatibility or its ability to fuse with bone. But dental implants can be made from materials other than titanium.
The titanium and titanium alloy dental implants on the market have been have been extensively tested by the FDA and have been approved for use. All dental implants are determined to be a safe medical grade material by the FDA before they are used in your body. Of the 13% of people who are sensitive to nickel, cobalt or chromium, they may not need to worry about a titanium sensitivity.
Zirconia Implants Are A Metal-Free Alternative To Titanium Implants
A new option for patients who are not able to have a titanium implant is available in a zirconia implant. This is a ceramic material that does contain metal but is considered nonmetallic. Some of the other great reasons to look into zirconia implants are its strength and resistance to corrosion. By nature, zirconia is an inert material so there is an even lower risk of allergic reaction than titanium. Zirconia does not allow for plaque accumulation so it is more healthy for your gums and surrounding teeth. Moreover, zirconia creates an improved overall aesthetic look because it is white in color like natural teeth. Titanium is metal so it can cast a dark hue under the gums. Zirconia implants were developed in 1987, used in Europe for decades and were approved for use in the United States by the FDA more than 10 years ago. Zirconia can bond with bone in the same way that titanium can so it is as biocompatible. Zirconia’s strength and durability help make it a great alternative to titanium dental implants.
At the end of the day, if you have been avoiding replacing a missing or damaged tooth with a dental implant because you are concerned about your titanium allergy, you do not have to lose out on the chance of this convenient and effective tooth replacement. Take the time to talk to the dentist about zirconia implants and if those are a good fit for your treatment plan.