The application of titanium prostheses to a patient with metal allergy

PATIENT: A 60 year-old female presented with a chief complaint of poor adaptation of dentures. At the first examination, it was confirmed that she had symptoms of heavy dermatitis in the whole body, especially hands and feet, and had a medical history of drug and metal allergy. As a result of patch testing, we diagnosed that these symptoms might be due to hypersensitivity reaction to some composition elements used in the dental alloys. After removing all the prostheses made of dental alloys and replacing them with new prostheses made of commercial pure titanium, the symptoms of metal allergy disappeared. DISCUSSION: The results of this case show that treatment using prostheses made of titanium may be suitable. In order to obtain a good prognosis, regular follow-up is important. CONCLUSION: In this case, dental alloys may have been one of the causes of severe dermatitis and prosthetic treatment with titanium effectively solved the patient's symptoms of metal allergy.