A rare allergy to a polyether dental impression material

Area of Science:

• Dental materials science
• Allergology
• Clinical dentistry

Background:

• Polyether impression materials have been widely used in dentistry for over 40 years.
• Previous allergic reactions were resolved by catalyst replacement, but new symptoms have emerged.
• Recent patient reports suggest a resurgence of allergic reactions linked to these materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential allergic reactions to polyether impression materials and their components.
• To identify the specific agents responsible for recent allergic reactions.
• To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of allergy testing methods for these reactions.

Main Methods:

• Conducted allergy testing, including patch tests and prick tests, on patients experiencing symptoms after exposure to polyether impression materials.
• Tested patients against the mixed impression materials, base pastes, and individual base paste components.
• Included a patient with atypical symptoms and a history of allergies for comparative testing.

Main Results:

• All eight patients with typical contact allergy symptoms showed positive patch test reactions to the polyether impression materials, base paste, or a base paste component.
• Prick tests did not elicit immediate reactions in the tested patients.
• The patient with atypical symptoms exhibited no positive patch test reactions, suggesting a different etiology.

Conclusions:

• Polyether impression materials can elicit type IV allergic reactions, with a base paste component identified as the causative agent.
• Despite the widespread use of these materials, the incidence of allergic reactions remains very low.
• Positive allergic reactions to polyether impression materials are possible in very scarce cases, necessitating continued vigilance and diagnostic evaluation.