Abstract
We report a case of implantitis and titanium allergy. The patient was a woman in her 30s. She had received implant treatment at 45 sites extracted 9 years ago at another clinic. The implant was considered to be made of titanium alloy including Fe, Al, and V.
The implant had been stable for more than 5 years, but progressive bone resorption occurred 9 years after implant placement.
No immune disorder was detected by blood test, and no inflammation was observed in periodontal tissue around the natural teeth, so we suspected a metal allergy to titanium alloy. We performed a patch test and lymphocyte stimulation test. Ti and Au were found to be positive, and Al pseudopositive in the patch test. Ti, Al, Fe, and Pd were found to be positive in the lymphocyte stimulation test. Based on the results of these allergy tests, titanium allergy was strongly suspected. Bone regeneration was observed soon after implant removal.
Metal allergy tests were effective for assessing the prognosis of the implant.
