Contact Allergy to Dental Materials and Implants

Dental professionals and dental patients are exposed to the same sensitizers, but the outcome is very different. Dental professionals suffer predominantly from irritant contact dermatitis and to a lesser degree from allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates and rubber products. Dental patients rarely have allergic contact stomatitis. In this chapter, the reader will learn about the multiple factors that lead to irritant contact dermatitis and also about the major sensitizers, e.g., methacrylates in dentin bonding agents, dental composite resins (DCR), and prostheses, in addition to rubber chemicals, metals, fragrances, and disinfectants. The various sensitizers that may give lichenoid reactions in patients are also discussed.