Contact stomatitis due to palladium in dental alloys: A clinical report

A patient was treated with a maxillary gold-palladium alloy fixed partial denture (FPD). Shortly after placement, the patient contracted severe contact mucositis. Patch-testing revealed a positive reaction to palladium chloride (PdCl₂, 1% petrolatum) but not to any other component of the prosthesis. After removal of the FPD and placement of a provisional acrylic resin restoration, all signs and symptoms disappeared. A definitive metal-ceramic (titanium-porcelain) prosthesis was placed, and no signs of lesions appeared. This clinical report demonstrates that titanium may be a satisfactory alternative for patients who require prostheses and are sensitive to other metals.