Can the Metal Used for Implants Cause Allergic Reactions?

Hi Betsy,

Dental implants are primarily composed of commercially pure titanium. Commercially pure titanium is available in four grades, depending upon the amount of carbon and iron included. Some manufacturers are now using grade 5 titanium which also contains aluminum and vanadium.

There is little evidence in the literature that titanium can produce an immune response. There are articles that describe from .6% or as much as 4% incidence of titanium allergy in human subjects. However actual documented cases in the surgical literature that can definitively point to a titanium allergy are almost non-existent.

The other materials in titanium implants show equally low incidence of immune response. Dental implants are so biocompatible that bone growth is actually stimulated.

Dental implants, made of commercially pure titanium have been used successfully without adverse effects for decades.

Each case is different, of course, and if you have had a higher than usual incidence of immune response to other materials, it would be prudent to have an allergist test for immune response to titanium. In addition, consult your implant surgeon as to the grade of titanium to be used in your case.

Finally, remember that dental implants are among the safest and most predictable devices used in any surgery today.

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