The mechanism of gingiva metallic pigmentations formation.

The occurrence of blue-grey areas in the soft tissue represents one of the problems affecting patients whose teeth have been restored using metallic materials. It is generally accepted that it is caused by mechanical penetration of a metallic material into the soft tissue. Several facts indicate that this mechanism is not general. The aim of the study was to determine an alternative mechanism of the origin of pigmentations, based on the corrosion interaction of metallic materials used in prosthodontics with the oral environment. The study was comprised of an analysis of pigment particles, determination of exposure conditions of metallic materials in vivo and laboratory evaluation of corrosion properties of the studied materials. Particles containing silver, sulphur and/or selenium could be seen in ultra-thin sections in the lamina propria gingivae. Comparison of the corrosion laboratory results with the results of in vivo measurements indicated the intensification of corrosion under these conditions. Amalgams and silver-containing alloys used for teeth restorations may release silver under the conditions of the oral cavity. The formation of soluble silver compounds in the sulcular area or in a crevice between the crown and the cast post-and-core reconstruction facilitates their transport to the soft tissue and subsequent deposition.

[Metal intolerance. A frequent condition, but difficult to diagnose]. / Metall-Unverträglichkeit. Eine häufige Erkrankung, aber schwierig zu diagnostizieren.

Many of the methods and devices used for incompatibility testing of metals and alloys today are of questionable scientific value. Neither epicutaneous testing nor other diagnostic adjuncts from the realm of alternative medicine, nor patient-history data contained in so-called dental alloy passports, are generally able to yield any useful information. Analysis is particularly difficulty in situations where metallic components are cemented in place in the oral cavity. For many years now, the so-called splinter test has proven its value as a means of non-destructively identifying the type of alloy used. It can also be used for detecting persistent corrosion-prone adhesive oxides and soldering joints as causative agents of metal-related noxious processes. This article presents a number of case reports to demonstrate the reliability and the precision of the splinter test. Over a period of 10 years, more than 1600 splinter analyses have been performed at the University of Basle Center of Dentistry. According to a pertinent survey, these analyses were able to contribute to full treatment success in 63% of the cases, to partial success in 27% of the cases, and to no success in only 10% of the cases.

[The prevention of intolerance for metal inclusions in the oral cavity]. / Profilaktika neperenosimosti metallicheskikh vkliuchenii v polosti rta.

The authors assessed the informative value of the Nakatani-ryodaraku and I. A.Lednev's methods of electroacupuncture diagnosis used to rule out the development of intolerance to metal inclusions in the oral cavity. Intratok and Eledia devices were used. Preliminary results are encouraging.