Release of nickel ions from stainless steel alloys used in dental braces and their patch test reactivity in nickel-sensitive individuals.
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.
Jensen
Christian Stab
CS
Department of Dermatology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. chje@gentoftehosp.kbhamt.dk
Lisby
Steen
S
Baadsgaard
Ole
O
Byrialsen
Kirsten
K
Menné
Torkil
T
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
D003722:Dental Alloys; D007477:Ions; D012464:Saliva, Artificial; D013193:Stainless Steel; D009532:Nickel