Theriot Family Dental

Multiple Dental Allergies

Posted by writeradmin

A few years ago I had a root canal treatment done. The dentist broke a file in the tooth but told me it was nothing to worry about. It started bothering me so I went to see an endodontist. When he tried to remove it, he actually ended up pushing it through the bottom, making things worse. In the meantime, I started developing eczema and other problems. I patch tested for multiple allergies. This includes many dental elements such as dental cement, formaldehyde, cobalt, chromium, titanium, as well as a handful of chemicals. Now the place where the file went through is infected. I just need to have the tooth pulled at this point, but I need to find a dentist familiar with type IV allergies. How do I locate that?

Lindsey

Dear Lindsey,

Smiling woman giving a thubs up from the dental chair

 

This is a tricky situation and you have been put through the wringer. I am sorry for what you have experienced. As I thought about your problem, I have a solution. Most dentists find the Clifford test to be controversial and tend to ignore them. While I don’t think you will be likely to find a dentist familiar with Type IV allergies, you can find a dentist willing to work with you on finding materials you are not allergic to.

I will be upfront with you that most dentists will not be willing to work with you. In my experience, the dentists who will be most willing to work with you are mercury-free dentists and holistic dentists. If you tell them what materials you need to avoid, they should be willing to work with you to find something you can use.

There are many metal-free materials available these days, such as zirconia crowns and bridges. It is much easier to find the materials necessary.

If you do end up extracting that tooth, you will want to replace it. Dental implants are the best tooth replacement. Traditionally, they are made from titanium, which is very biocompatible. I do not know anyone with a titanium allergy, but if you are, there are also zirconia implants.

Best of luck to you.

This blog is brought to you by Lafayette, LA Dentist Dr. John Theriot.