title: Release of nickel ions from stainless steel alloys used in dental braces and their patch test reactivity in nickel-sensitive individuals.
abstract: Nickel ions leached in sufficient quantities from nickel-containing alloys may induce nickel sensitization or elicit allergic contact dermatitis. Nickel-containing stainless steel alloys are generally considered safe for nickel-sensitive individuals to use. The study summarized in this paper investigated 3 parameters. First, the release of nickel was estimated in artificial saliva and sweat from 4 different stainless steel alloys frequently used in dental braces. Second, in a pilot study, oral mucosa cells harvested from 3 dental patients before and after the attachment of dental braces were analysed for possible nickel content. Third, patch test reactivity of the 4 stainless steel alloys was tested on 31 nickel-sensitive subjects. All 4 stainless steel alloys released small amounts of nickel ions into artificial saliva (<0.13 micro g/cm2/week) and artificial sweat (<0.05 micro g/cm2/week), but no measurable amounts of nickel were found in any of the oral mucosa samples. None of the 31 nickel-sensitive subjects reacted to patch testing with the 4 stainless steel alloys, indicating that these stainless steel alloys would be safe to use in direct and prolonged contact with the skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. chje@gentoftehosp.kbhamt.dk
authors.forename: Christian Stab
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Steen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lisby
authors.forename: Ole
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Baadsgaard
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Byrialsen
authors.forename: Torkil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Menné
mesh_terms: D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D008422:Materials Testing; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D010328:Patch Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000737:chemistry; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry*; D013542:Sweat / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys; D007477:Ions; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D013193:Stainless Steel; D009532:Nickel