Prospective analysis of the incidence of metal allergy in patients listed for total replacement of the temporomandibular joint.

We prospectively analysed the incidence of metal allergies in patients listed for total replacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the efficacy of patch testing to prevent rejection phenomena. All patients (n=101) that required a prosthetic TMJ between March 2004 and August 2012 were tested preoperatively. A total of 39% had an allergy to one or more metals and they were given all-titanium prostheses. Following the introduction of this protocol no patients have shown signs of an allergic rejection within 6 months of operation. We suggest that all patients listed for total TMJ replacement should have patch tests for metal allergies and that all-titanium prostheses are used when allergy is detected.