[A case of burning mouth associated with dental metal allergy]

A 70-year-old male presented with a history or chief complaint of burning and prickly sensation in the oral cavity at two years after dental treatments. We diagnosed that this symptom might be due to hypersensitivity reaction to the Zn, Co and Hg used in dental prostheses based on the results of patch testing and metal analysis. After removal of all the suspected metals, the symptom disappeared.

Many alternative causes have been proposed for burning mouth. As reported previously, mucosal allergic reactions have developed into burning mouth in patients. It is advisable to perform patch tests in selected patients to identify a possible etiological agent. Although patch testing for these symptoms might provide useful information, it is difficult to characterize the significance of contact allergy. Therefore, careful diagnosis, treatment and follow-up are necessary alleviate to symptoms of such case.

This case showed that metal allergy might be related to the condition of burning mouth.