2007 Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 293-298
A 70-year-old female who has metal allergy against palladium and chromium wished to receive implant-supported restoration for her partial edentulous portion. It is well known that cross-allergic reaction against numerous kinds of metals can be seen in some metal allergy patients, so it was necessary to confirm whether titanium could be used for this patient. In order to perform the implant therapy safely, we did an exposure test with intra-oral titanium restoration in addition to a patch test to identify whether she had allergy to titanium. The result of the patch test was negative for titanium. After the trial exposure period of 6 months, she showed no signs and symptoms of titanium allergy. Finally, we diagnosed that there was a low clinical risk of using titanium in this patient, and so planned a bone-anchored fixed partial denture with titanium frame and hybrid ceramics. First, titanium implants were placed in her partial edentulous portion. After a healing period, the secondary operation (abutment connection) was conducted, and the implant-supported fixed prostheses were fabricated to recover her masticatory function, speech function and esthetics. The treatment outcome of this patient was evaluated with a self-administered questionnaire. The results of assessments suggested that the implant-supported restoration improved the patient's masticatory function, speech function, esthetics and quality of life.
