I have type IV metal allergies. Those I know of include allergies to dental cement, formaldehyde, cobalt, chromium, titanium, and many chemicals. Right now I have very bad eczema from all allergies and am in constant pain from work I’ve had done in the past which included materials I now know I’m allergic to. I am willing to travel to get relief. Do you know someone knowledgeable about type IV metal allergies? Could you help me?
Thank you,
Lisa
Dear Lisa,
You can find the right dentist for your needs
There isn’t really any specialty in allergies when it comes to dental work, especially specific types of allergies. What you need, instead, is a creative dentist who is willing to work around your body’s needs and limitations. It doesn’t require any special dentist. However, you may find a holistic dentist more sympathetic and willing to work around your allergies.
This isn’t a specialty either. It is a philosophy of treatment which takes into consideration the whole body and not just the teeth. For instance, a holistic dentist would only place mercury-free white fillings. They also know how to do a sanitary amalgam removal. This will protect you from inhaling any mercury vapors during the removal process.
You didn’t mention what type of dental work needed to be replaced. I wanted you aware of some metal-free dental options available in procedures which previously didn’t have options.
Zirconia is proving useful in plenty of procedures these days. Now we can do metal-free zirconia crowns and even zirconia dental implants. While we have had all-porcelain crowns for a while, they are not strong enough for back teeth which left patients having to use metal-based crowns for molars.
Zirconia, which has been dubbed ceramic steel. It is strong enough to sustain a crown on your back teeth.
Replacing Dental Implants
If you have a dental implant to replace, that is the only one which will be a bit of a pain. It will require a new implant to be placed. Instead of the traditional titanium implant, which is almost positively what you were given before your diagnosis. Fortunately, you can have a zirconia implant.
The problem comes with the need to replace lost bone. When your implant is removed, bone will be removed as well. You’ll have to do some bone grafting done in order for the new implant to be secured. Osseointegration is an important part of dental implant success.
This blog is brought to you by Decatur Dentists Drs. Drake and Wallace.