Worried about nickel allergy

[Okate]

Hi everyone, im due to get my Damon uppers and an ALF fitted on Thursday but I have suddenly realised I might be allergic to nickel. When I was younger my skin used to flare up whenever I came into contact with it and as I've got older not so much. However I still notice it when holding money and I cannot where cheap earrings or rings.

When I filled in a form at the orthos I remember it saying "are you allergic to anything" I ticked the NO box. For some reason I was thinking about penicillin, I don't know why..

I've looked through some old posts on here and found a few threads about allergies, but I'm worried what the orthos gonna say on Monday when they phone me back. I've already got the spacers in and was looking forward to my braces but I don't think it's gonna happen now. If anybody has been in a similar situation can you help? Please!!!

[Tobilei]

I don't have any experience with this but google tells me this (copied and pasted):

Recommendations For Nickel Sensitive Patients

As mentioned previously, many orthodontic components contain nickel alloys. Stainless steel contains approximately 8% nickel, while nickel titanium archwires contain approximately 50% or more nickel. It is important to note that most research has determined that all intra-oral orthodontic components made of stainless steel are safe to use in nickel hypersensitive patients because the molecular structure of stainless steel prevents the release of nickel and renders it
unreactive.[14] However, a nickel-free alternative to stainless steel brackets are available in the following forms:

ceramic brackets
polycarbonate or plastic brackets
titanium brackets
gold-plated brackets

Stainless steel orthodontic archwires are also considered safe in nickel sensitive patients. On the other hand, many high technology ultra-flexible nickel-titanium wires used in orthodontics today should be avoided in nickel sensitive patients. Alternate wires such as twist-o-flex, TMA, pure titanium, and gold-plated can be used without risk.

If a patient experiences a positive nickel sensitivity (positive patch test) reaction during orthodontic treatment it is recommended that all intraoral and/or extraoral appliances (braces) containing nickel be removed until the adverse reaction subsides. Once the lesions have healed, nickel-free appliances can be placed.

So it sounds like it can be worked around with some fairly simple substitutions

[Okate]

Thanks, i did google it but didn't find that! I know my braces are nickel/titanium and have been made and are waiting for me. I just hope the ortho can sort out an alternative, not sure if the nickel free ones Are more expensive now. Probably are knowing my luck. might phone doctors Monday to see about a nickel test x

[Tobilei]

I assume you went the metal option? If so then yes, *most* (not all) ortho's will charge extra for ceramics. Mine were an extra $780 for both top and bottom on top of the price of metals. And yes, they'll likely do an allergy test if you're unsure. Good luck with it and let us know how you get on!

[beckyboo0205]

I did the same thing. I said I didn't have any allergies, but then in doing some research, I came across the nickel allergy thing too. I'm not even positive that I am allergic to nickel or some other cheaper metals... i don't know what it would be though. I used to have reactions to cheap earrings and whatever was on the metal clasp of my watch as a kid. (Now I don't wear either though so I don't know if I'm still affected.)

Anyhow, just let them know... probably as soon as possible that way they can change something if they need to. I let them know and they said it wouldn't be a problem because they use stainless steel alloy braces. It would SUCK to have something attached to you that you were possibly allergic to!

[EbonyQ]

I had nickel allergy when I was little but when I got my braces I forgot to tell my ortho.
It went fine with my braces, did not get any reactions at all. So I guess I don’t have it any longer.

If I were you I would take a test to be 100% sure

[CarrieG]

I have a nickel allergy and get contact dermatitis from just about everything :-(. That being said, I have full metal braces and have had no problems whatsoever with any sort of allergic reaction. So if you go that route you should probably be ok.

[elainek]

I also have a nickel allergy and have full metal on the bottom and top (with ceramic on the front 6 on top). I told my ortho and she had to order in special nickel free wires but other than that there was no problem. The wires were about €100 extra.

Definitely tell your ortho just in case!

[Okate]

Thankyou for all your info and advice. My doctor said they don't do tests but said that if you have a nickel allergy you have it for life! Got the ortho tomorrow and i was meant to be fitted with my upper damon but I called them and they said the ortho would discuss another treatment plan. Can't believe this. It's gonna be another month probably. Stupid nickel allergy!!!!

[loveactually]

Would it be possible to get allergy tested? I also have a nickel allergy (my skin would blister to contact for longer than a day - and that was found through allergy testing). The clinic that I went to put liquid metal dots on my back and recorded what my reactions were - the most severe being nickel. They also taped the orthodontic wire to my back at the same time (that was uncomfortable, especially if I sat back), and found I didn't react to the wire at all despite my severe nickel allergy. If possible, you might want to look into this. :)