[Investigation of metal allergy to constituent elements of intraoral restoration materials].

Allergies caused by metals have been increasing. The number of patients visiting dentists with the chief complaint of metal allergy has also been increasing. From March 1994 to February 1997, 263 patients who complained of various symptoms visited our allergy clinic. Among them, 184 patients were suspected to have allergy caused by metals in dental restoration materials and were referred to the patch test. Among 165 patients', 128 were positives for metal allergy. Constituent elements of intraoral metals were analyzed in 107 of these 128 positive patients. The findings were as follows: 1. The most common five elements acting on the patients were Hg, Co, Ni, Cr, and Pd. 2. The most frequently used elements of dental restoration metal materials were Zn, Ag, Cu, Au, and Pd, and the alloy was Au-Ag-Pd alloy. 3. The highest tendency of coincidence between allergen and intraoral metals were observed among Co-Cr-Ni alloys and Pd, Ni, and Cr elements. 4. In case of palmoplantar pustulosis, allergen metals tended to be the same as intraoral metal elements.