Last updated August 16, 2023
Doctor, I have a metal allergy.
It seems to be caused by a silver tooth. Is there an alternative treatment covered by insurance?
Yes, there is!
Then, this time,What is a metal allergy? Insurance-covered alternatives to silver teeth will be explained!
Metal Allergy and Silver Teeth
What is metal allergy?It is contact with a metal to which you are allergic that causes itching and blistering.
Symptoms depend on the degree of allergic reaction.
In dentistry, this can also occur with metal coverings, fillings, and orthodontic appliances.
Specifics,
- Metals in silver teeth and allergic reactions
- Symptoms of metal allergy caused by silver teeth
- How to know for sure if silver teeth are the cause
This section describes the following
Metals in silver teeth and allergic reactions
An allergy is an inflammation or disorder that occurs when the body comes into contact with or accumulates a substance (allergen) that is the source of the allergy.
Allergens in metal allergies due to silver teeth are,Metal ions dissolved in the mouth by salivaIt is.
Metals have the property of becoming metal ions when exposed to moisture. Simply put, it is like silver teeth that come into contact with saliva gradually dissolving.
The metal ions of silver teeth dissolved in the mouth,It accumulates in the body over a long period of time through direct contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth or when swallowed with saliva, causing allergic reactions.
Metal allergies develop slowly, so it is unlikely that you will develop an allergy immediately after having silver teeth.
Most often, symptoms such as inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and eczema of the hands and feet appear about five years after the silver teeth are placed.
Symptoms of metal allergy caused by silver teeth
Symptoms of metal allergy caused by silver teeth include
- It occurs where the silver teeth are in direct contact with the "Contact metal allergy"
- stomatitis
- glossitis
- glossophagia
- lichen planus
- Taste disorder, etc.
- caused outside of the mouth by metal ions accumulated in the body.Systemic metal allergy"
- have one's hands and feet become calloused
- Body Rash
- Pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (skin rash with pus appearing on the palms and soles of the feet)
- Pseudoatopic dermatitis, etc.
Systemic metal allergies are,Characterized by symptoms in areas unrelated to the mouthIt is.
Allergic symptoms develop when metal ions absorbed into the body through the mucous membranes of the mouth or swallowed with saliva are mixed with sweat and come out through the skin.
Therefore, people may not realize that they are allergic to metal due to silver teeth, and may mistake it for a simple skin condition or athlete's foot.
How to find out if silver teeth cause metal allergies
There are three ways to find out for sure if silver teeth are the cause of your metal allergies.
- patch test
- Blood test (Dental lymphocyte stimulation test: DLST)
- Metal Component Analysis and Inspection
patch test
What is a patch test?A test in which a tape with metal components that may be allergens is applied to the back for 48 hours to see how the skin reacts.It is.
The condition of the skin after the tape is removed is observed 2, 3, and 7 days later, and metal allergy is determined by whether or not allergic symptoms appear.
Blood test (Dental lymphocyte stimulation test: DLST)
A blood sample is drawn,Test to determine the presence of metal allergy by adding metal ions to cultured white blood cellsIt is.
Metal Component Analysis and Inspection
This test is performed after determining the type of metal ions that cause allergic reactions by patch testing.
Take the actual silver tooth components in the mouth,Check for the presence of metal components that cause allergic reactionsI will do so.
Metal allergies are not necessarily allergic reactions to all metals. It can also occur with metals used in jewelry and watches.
In other words, removing a silver tooth because of a metal allergy is meaningless if other metals are the cause.
Therefore, if silver teeth are the possible cause of your metal allergy, it is recommended that you have a metal component analysis test before considering a plan for removal or re-treatment of silver teeth.
Insurance-covered treatment available for metal allergies
Metal allergies caused by silver teeth are,Replace with metal-free coverings (metal-free crowns) or fillings (metal-free inlays)This can reduce the onset of allergic symptoms.
Basically, metal-free crowns and metal-free inlays have been excluded from insurance coverage because they are more esthetic than silver teeth, but some metal-free materials are now covered by insurance in view of metal allergies.
Metal-free crowns and inlays can be covered by insurance,CAD/CAM crowns and CAD/CAM inlays made of hybrid ceramicIt is.
Hybrid ceramic is a white material made of plastic and ceramic.
Since no metal is used, there is no risk of metal allergies.
However,There are some conditions for insurance coverage.So, please check carefully before your visit.
CAD/CAM crowns and CAD/CAM inlays for people with metal allergies
■A medical certificate of metal allergy (medical information form) must be available.
■Treatment is limited to first bicuspids, second bicuspids, first molars, and second molars (fourth to seventh teeth counting from the front)
In addition, CAD/CAM crowns and CAD/CAM inlays covered by insurance tend to be weaker and more susceptible to deterioration than metal-free crowns and inlays not covered by insurance.
If there is a risk that CAD/CAM crowns and CAD/CAM inlays will break quickly due to biting or clenching, it is recommended to consider materials that are not covered by insurance.
Uninsured treatments that can be used for metal allergies
What treatments are not covered by insurance that can be used for metal allergies?Treatment with metal-free materials other than hybrid ceramicIt is.
Metal-free materials not covered by insurance include the following types, which differ in strength and esthetics.
- Feldspar all-ceramic
- e-max
- Zirconia, etc.
than hybrid ceramics used for CAD/CAM crowns and CAD/CAM inlays.Materials with high strength and esthetic propertiesTherefore, it is easy to make it last longer.
For more information, please click here!
summary
A metal allergy is itching, blistering, or other symptoms caused by contact with the metal to which you are allergic.
In dentistry, this can also occur with metal coverings, fillings, and orthodontic appliances.
If you have metal allergies, CAD/CAM crowns and CAD/CAM inlays using hybrid ceramics can be treated with insurance coverage.
If you are allergic to metal and want to change from silver teeth to metal-free crowns or inlays, consult your dentist.
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Graduated from Nagasaki University School of Dentistry, ~2018 Kyushu Medical Center, 2018-present Working at a dental clinic in Tokyo
After completing clinical training, worked in cosmetic dentistry in Tokyo. Currently a dentist and dental writer.
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