[Incidents and side effects of metallic orthopedic and odontologic prostheses]

Sensitization and immune disorders from metallic prostheses are very unusual although most of them were metal-metal structures (nickel, cobalt or chromium alloys) during decades. Recent technical modifications; the use of new metal (titan-vanadium), of aluminum or ceramic prostheses eliminate these side effects; The clinical diseases may be regional (eczema, dermatitis, vascularitis) or general (diffuse dermatitis, itching). Some very rare systemic diseases have been described but their relation with the prosthesis is often uncertain. The positive patch tests are good indicators of the sensitization but their high prevalence of metal sensitization in the normal population excludes a safe diagnosis. The best demonstration remains the complete recovery of the disease after removal of the prosthesis.