Subject: Oral Contact AllergyThe American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) affirms that oral contact allergy (OCA) is an oral mucosal response that may be associated with materials and substances found in oral hygiene products, common food items, and topically applied agents. The AAOM also affirms that patients with suspected OCA should be referred to the appropriate dental and/or medical health care provider(s) for comprehensive evaluation and management of the condition. Replacement and/or substitution of dental materials should be considered only if (1) a reasonable temporal association has been established between the suspected triggering material and development of clinical signs and/or symptoms, (2) clinical examination supports an association between the suspected triggering material and objective clinical findings, and (3) diagnostic testing (e.g., dermatologic patch testing, skin-prick testing) confirms a hypersensitivity reaction to the suspected offending material. Originators: Dr. Eric T. Stoopler, DMD, FDS RCSEd, FDS RCSEng, Dr. Scott S. De Rossi, DMD. This Clinical Practice Statement was developed as an educational tool based on expert consensus of the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) leadership. Readers are encouraged to consider the recommendations in the context of their specific clinical situation, and consult, when appropriate, other sources of clinical, scientific, or regulatory information prior to making a treatment decision. Originator: Dr. Eric T. Stoopler, DMD, FDS RCSEd, FDS RCSEng, Dr. Scott S. De Rossi, DMD Purpose The AAOM affirms that oral contact allergy (OCA) is an oral mucosal response that may be associated with materials and substances found in oral hygiene products, common food items, and topically applied agents. The AAOM also affirms that patients with suspected OCA should be referred to the appropriate dental and/or medical health care provider(s) for comprehensive evaluation and management of the condition. Methods This statement is based on a review of the current dental and medical literature related to oral contact allergy. PubMed and MEDLINE searches were conducted using the terms “contact allergy,” “oral,” “mouth,” “dental,” “hypersensitivity,” “contact allergic stomatitis,” and “allergic contact stomatitis.” Clinical studies, narrative reviews, case series, and case reports provided the basis for this statement. Expert opinions and best current practices were relied upon when clinical evidence was not available. Background Oral contact allergy (OCA) is a type of hypersensitivity reaction that often poses a diagnostic challenge for health care providers. The prevalence of OCA is difficult to estimate due to inaccurate diagnosis, lack of reporting, and use of diagnosis codes that do not specifically represent this condition. 1, 2 OCA hypersensitivity reactions are the result of a complex immune – mediated process involving specific antigens that eventually sensitize T-lymphocytes and ultimately cause release of inflammatory mediators. 3 The clinical presentation of OCAs is variable, and hallmark features of the condition include erythema (redness), edema (swelling), desquamation (peeling) and ulceration (mucosal defects) that often affect the gingiva, tongue and / or lining of the oral mucosa. 3 Patients may also experience cheilitis and / or perioral dermatitis (inflammation and / or edema of the lips and / or perioral skin) as a result of OCA. 4 Patient-reported symptoms of OCA may include pain, taste alteration, compromised masticatory / speech function and overall decreased quality-of-life. 3, 4 Several substances have been associated with OCA, including dental materials, flavoring agents and essential ingredients found in oral hygiene products. 5 - 9 Common dental materials that have been associated with OCA include amalgam, resins, acrylics, and metals, such as gold sodium thiosulfate, nickel sulfate, amalgam alloy components and mercury, chromium – cobalt and palladium chloride. 5 – 9 Amalgam - contact hypersensitivity lesion, a type of lichenoid reaction with clinical features similar to oral lichen planus, has been specifically associated with amalgam restorations in direct contact with affected tissues. 10 Flavoring agents associated with OCA include cinnamon, peppermint, spearmint and fragrance mix. 7, 10 These ingredients are often found in common oral hygiene products, such as toothpaste and mouth rinse. In addition, essential toothpaste ingredients, such as cocamidopropyl betaine, propylene glycol, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate and triclosan, have been associated with OCA.12 – 14 Topically applied medications also can elicit OCA. The diagnosis of OCA is achieved by identifying a temporal relationship of condition onset with any of the substances previously described, patient-reported symptoms, physical examination findings, histopathology findings, and results of dermatologic challenge testing of suspected contact allergens. Treatment of OCA may include removal and/or replacement of the dental material or reduction/cessation of use of the offending flavoring agent, oral hygiene product or topical medication. Use of topical medications, such as topical corticosteroids, anesthetics, and physical intraoral barriers to the offending material, such as occlusive splint, may be needed for management of the condition.3 Clinical Practice Statement 1. The AAOM recognizes that: 2. The AAOM thus encourages oral healthcare providers to: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2016.02.016 References 1 . Pinto A, Khalaf M, Miller CS. The practice of oral medicine in the United States in the twenty-first century: an update. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2015; 119(4): 408 – 415. 2. Villa A, Stock S, Aboalela A, Lerman MA, Woo SB, Sonis ST, Treister NS. Oral Medicine referrals at a hospital-based practice in the United States. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2015; 119(4): 423 – 429. 3. DeRossi SS, Greenberg MS. Intraoral contact allergy: a literature review and case reports. J Am Dent Assoc 1998; 129(10), 1435 – 1441. 4. Lim GF, Cusack CA, Kist JM. Perioral lesions and dermatoses. Dent Clin North Am 2014; 58(2): 401 – 435. 5. Mallo Pérez L, Díaz Donado C. Intraoral contact allergy to materials used in dental practice. A critical review. Med Oral 2003; 8(5):334-347. 6. Gawkrodger DJ. Investigation of reactions to dental materials. Br J Dermatol. 2005; 153(3):479-485. 7. Torgerson RR, Davis MD, Bruce AJ, Farmer SA, Rogers RS 3rd. Contact allergy in oral disease. J Am Acad Dermatol 2007; 57(2):315-321. 8. Bakula A, Lugović-Mihić L, Situm M, Turcin J, Sinković A. Contact allergy in the mouth: diversity of clinical presentations and diagnosis of common allergens relevant to dental practice. Acta Clin Croat 2011; 50(4):553-561. 9. Kirshen C, Pratt M. Dental allergic contact dermatitis: an interesting case series and review of the literature. Dermatitis 2012; 23(5):222-226. 10. Thornhill MH, Pemberton MN, Simmons RK, Theaker ED. Amalgam-contact hypersensitivity lesions and oral lichen planus. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2003;95:291-299. This Statement was developed as an educational tool based on expert opinion. Readers are encouraged to consider the recommendations in the context of their specific clinical situation, and consult, when appropriate, other sources of clinical, scientific, or regulatory information prior to making a treatment decision. |