Health Concerns

how do titanium implants cause metal allergies?

Concern for the use of titanium dental implants comes from the body's immune response that certain individuals with "metal sensitivity" can have.  The body's response is as follows (refer to pictures below):

STEP 1: Titanium dental implants release tiny particles as it begins to corrode, or become oxidized, due to naturally-occuring enzymes found in saliva.

STEP 2: These metal particles become ions and bind to proteins found naturally throughout the body.

STEP 3: In some people the body reacts to metal particles in the same way it does to a virus or other foreign substance by activating the immune system that starts a systemic reaction of inflammation in order to try to attack the 'invader'.

STEP 4: This continued systemic inflammation leads to many common autoimmune disorders. The good news is that once the metal dental implants are removed, most of these health disorders resolve in the majority of patients.

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First

Titanium particles become oxidized by saliva.

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Next

Titanium particles bind to proteins in the bloodstream.

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Then

These “invaders” trigger the immune system & are quickly attacked by immune cells.

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Finally

A chronic inflammatory reaction occurs due to repeated immune response.

Some of the most common autoimmune disorders seen with metal sensitivity are:

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Psoriasis, Scleroderma, Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis.[8],[9]
Other disorders and symptoms seen with metal sensitivity are:
  • Type I diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, cognitive impairment, Parkinson-like trembling, severe depression, acne, physical and mental exhaustion.[8],[9]
Some of the localized symptoms that occur from metal dental implants are:
  • Symptoms can also be local such as: erythema, labial oedema or purpuric patches on the palate, oral ulcers, gingivitis, geographical tongue, angular cheilitis, perioral eczematous eruption, or lichenoid reactions localized on the oral mucosa.Other systemic symptoms can be: atopic dermatitis, muscle, joint, and nerve pain, neurological problems.[8],[9]
Health concerns with Titanium Dental Implants

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