Hypersensitivity reactions to dental materials in a referred group of patients

151 patients referred to the Department of Oral Diagnosis, University of Umeå, for investigation regarding potential side-effects of dental materials were subjected to epicutaneous testing at a dermatology clinic. Twelve persons in this group had oral mucosal changes. Among the 151 patients 39 women and 7 men had positive skin reactions to one or more of the test substances used. The majority of the positive reactions were related to metals, particularly nickel, but a number of positive reactions to organic test substances were also noted. In many cases the substance which caused the positive skin reaction was also a known constituent of the restorative or prosthetic materials present in the oral cavity of the patient concerned. The clinical relevance of such findings should, however, be evaluated with great caution and this and connected problems are discussed.