A status report of possible risks of base metal alloys and their components

Sensitivity to base metal alloys and the components, both generalized skin reactions and local reactions, has been well documented. With the present trend toward increased use of these alloys by the dental profession, the short- and long-term implications of their use needs to be investigated. This article reviews the background, intake, and current use of two of the most commonly used metal alloys and their components. It also describes their mechanisms of action at the cellular level, the hazard to technicians, patients, and dentists, and the current health standards for airborne exposure in dental laboratories.