title: Allergic contact dermatitis caused by titanium screws and dental implants.
abstract: METHODS
  Titanium has been considered to be a non-allergenic material. However, several studies have reported cases of metal allergy caused by titanium-containing materials. We describe a 69-year-old male for whom significant pathologic findings around dental implants had never been observed. He exhibited allergic symptoms (eczema) after orthopedic surgery. The titanium screws used in the orthopedic surgery that he underwent were removed 1 year later, but the eczema remained. After removal of dental implants, the eczema disappeared completely.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Titanium is used not only for medical applications such as plastic surgery and/or dental implants, but also for paints, white pigments, photocatalysts, and various types of everyday goods. Most of the usage of titanium is in the form of titanium dioxide. This rapid expansion of titanium-containing products has increased percutaneous and permucosal exposure of titanium to the population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, allergic risk of titanium material is smaller than that of other metal materials. However, we suggest that pre-implant patients should be asked about a history of hypersensitivity reactions to metals, and patch testing should be recommended to patients who have experienced such reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusal Reconstruction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosoki
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusal Reconstruction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishigawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Youji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Go
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ohe
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatognathic Function and Occlusal Reconstruction, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Japan. Electronic address: matsuka@tokushima-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yoshizo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D020878:Device Removal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D014025:Titanium / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Dental implants; Metal allergy; Orthopedic surgery; Patch testing; Titanium