Dental gold alloys and contact hypersensitivity

A total of 172 patients referred to the Norwegian National Adverse Reaction Group were patch-tested with a dental series. Of these, 25% showed a posit ive reaction to gold sodium thiosulfate or potassium dicyanoaurate. There w as a statistically significant correlation (p=0.0019) between the presence of dental gold and a positive patch test to gold. There was a statistically significant correlation between ear piercing and a positive patch test to gold (p=0.04). In most cases, we did not find clinical correlates to positi ve patch tests to gold. 2 patients with objective and subjective oral/perio ral and general symptoms are described as case reports. Their symptoms disa ppeared when gold restorations were removed. We conclude that there is an o verrepresentation of gold allergies among those with dental restorations co ntaining gold.