Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by exposure to acrylates during work with dental prostheses

Abstract

Between 1974 and 1992, we were consulted by 4 patients (an orthodontist, 2 dental technicians and a dental worker trained in-house) who had developed occupational allergic contact dermatitis from working with dental prostheses. All patients had positive allergic patch test reactions to methyl methacrylate (MMA), the acrylate which is the most widely used in work with prostheses. All but the orthodontist also reacted to dimethacrylates, which are used in cross-linked dental prostheses. The last patient, investigated in 1992, had been exposed mainly to light-cured acrylics, which are similar in composition to dental composite resins. These acrylics, only recently introduced into prosthetic work, contain more potent acrylic sensitizers than MMA. Accordingly, dental personnel working with prostheses may face a higher risk of sensitization than previously. To detect cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis, we suggest that patients working with dental prostheses should be patch tested with MMA, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, dimethacrylates, epoxy acrylates and urethane acrylates.

The national survey of adverse reactions to dental materials in the UK: a preliminary study by the UK Adverse Reactions Reporting Project

“…26 Acrylic monomers can cause irritant contact dermatitis as well as allergic contact dermatitis reactions. 27 Our research found that for dental technicians the primary source of adverse reactions was acrylic resin. This is not surprising when we consider that methyl methacrylate is a potent sensitiser.…”

“…This is not surprising when we consider that methyl methacrylate is a potent sensitiser. 27 It has been reported that the incidence of contact dermatitis to methacrylate resins in dental personnel is increasing due to the increased use of methacrylate containing materials (compomers, composites, RMGICs) to replace amalgam as a restorative material, especially in Europe. 20 The timescale of the ARRP is still too short to confirm this.…”

Guinea Pig Maximization Test of Tri-ethylene Glycol Mono-methacrylate

“…This is because their contact with soft tissues, such as skin, induces adverse effects and delayed-type hypersensitivity. To date, dental researchers have reported that an allergic reaction was observed in patients who came into repeated contact with 2-HEMA, thereby developing delayed-type hypersensitivity due to exposure to this compound during work [14][15][16] . Latex gloves cannot protect the skin against the contact of 2-HEMA, because the latter permeates through rubber gloves 17) .…”

Biocompatibility of 3D Printed Methacrylate for Hearing Aids and Inner Ear Devices

“…Nonetheless, uncured methacrylate monomers can be absorbed through the skin [22] and cause allergic reactions (e.g. dermatitis) [23,24]. In addition, the toxicity of methacrylate esters is theorized to involve alkylation of critical cellular nucleophiles via Michael addition [25].…”