A Study of orthodontic patients with metal allergy

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was carried out to clarify the points regarding metal allergy that attention should be given to when treating orthodontic patients. The subjects were 7 orthodontic patients (1 male and 6 females; mean age, 21.3 years) who had been diagnosed as having metal allergies by patch tests. The following results were obtained. 1. Nickel was the most frequently identified metal showing a positive reaction in patch tests (in half of the patients). Since nickel is frequently used in orthodontic treatment, care should be taken over the selection of material when treating orthodontic patients with metal allergies. 2. All of the patients had other allergy symptoms. Thus, taking detailed histories may lead to the discovery of metal allergies in patients who are not aware of such allergies. 3. Four of the seven patients had symptoms of metal allergy caused by earrings and other such ornaments. Since many orthodontic patients are young women, taking detailed histories and conducting careful observations are important.