Allergies in dentistry and potential cofactors: a case-control study

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Allergy Diagnostics
• Immunology

Background:

• Suspected allergic reactions are common during dental procedures, but confirmed allergen data is scarce.
• Identifying true allergens and cofactors in dental settings is crucial for patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify common allergens in dentistry.
• To investigate cofactors associated with sensitization to dental materials and drugs.
• To differentiate true allergic reactions from unspecific responses.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective and prospective analysis of patients with suspected allergic reactions (dental vs. surgical groups) from 2018-2023.
• Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were employed.
• Allergy diagnostic confirmation was performed.

Main Results:

• Confirmed allergy was less frequent in dental patients (10%) compared to surgical controls (28%).
• Local anesthetics rarely caused confirmed allergies (1.8%), with most reactions being unspecific.
• Concomitant immune diseases increased the risk of confirmed allergic reactions in dentistry (OR 9.12).

Conclusions:

• True allergy to drugs administered in dentistry is uncommon.
• Reactions to dental materials causing objective symptoms warrant thorough allergy diagnostics.
• Distinguishing unspecific reactions from true allergies is vital in dental practice.