Critical summary: Non-titanium metal hypersensitivity in dental implant recipients

Abstract

Titanium dental implants are widely accepted in clinical dentistry owing to their high biocompatibility and mechanical strength. However, the assumption that titanium is entirely inert in vivo has come under scrutiny. A growing body of evidence suggests that some patients experience allergic or hypersensitive reactions after implantation, not necessarily to titanium itself but to non-titanium metals that may be present as trace elements or alloyed components in dental implants. These metals include nickel, chromium, cobalt and palladium. This critical review investigates whether individuals presenting with hypersensitivity symptoms following titanium dental implant placement test negative for titanium sensitivity but positive for other metal allergens.