When it comes to traditional braces and nickel allergies, many patients either don't realize they are allergic to nickel or that the wires and brackets of traditional braces contain nickel. This can lead to a situation in which the patients' gums become swollen and inflamed. When this happens, it is easy to confuse this allergic reaction with the effects of poor dental hygiene.
There are two types of nickel allergy. "Contact urticaria" occurs within minutes of a patient coming into contact with nickel, and "allergic contact dermatitis" occurs from a few hours to a day later. In both cases, the gum tissue, tongue, and cheeks become red and inflamed where they come into contact with the oral appliance.
Straightening teeth then, becomes more difficult. Fortunately, it is possible to straighten teeth without the use of nickel.
Nickel-Free Alternatives Can Be Used
Brackets and arch wires that contain nickel can be removed and replaced with nickel-free versions made from materials such as ceramic, titanium, plastic and gold. Stainless steel has also been proven to render nickel unreactive, preventing its release. Therefore, even if stainless steel brackets and wires contain nickel, they are typically safe to wear for those with nickel allergies.
When a patient reacts to the presence of nickel in a brace, it is best to remove the brackets and wires and wait until the allergy symptoms have cleared up before adding the nickel-free alternatives.
Invisalign Contains No Metals
A much simpler option would be for such patients to switch to Invisalign instead. Invisalign aligners contain no traces of metal and can be removed at the patient's leisure.
Ideally, patients should ascertain whether or not they are allergic to nickel before beginning orthodontic treatment.
Piercings Can Cause Nickel Allergies
Research has shown that ear piercings can lead to the emergence of an allergy to nickel. With that in mind then, patients with ear piercings who wish to straighten their teeth with traditional braces should first be tested by a dermatologist. Using blood tests, prick tests and patch tests, a dermatologist can test for the presence of contact uticaria and allergic contact dermatitis.
In future, as piercings become more and more popular, it should be standard practice for orthodontists to recommend such testing before treating patients with traditional braces.
If you or a family member is thinking of starting a course of traditional braces, ask your orthodontist to recommend a dermatologist before going ahead with treatment.
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