Alternatives to using alginate if someone is allergic to it?

marti8

I've TMJD and a few weeks ago I went to a local dental hospital and was fitted for an occlusal splint (having been referred by the HSE), to make the mould they used alginate (a sort of blue/green colour if I'm not mistaken) A few hours later I could feel itchness etc around the corners of my mouth, the next morning I woke up and there were blisters at each corner of my mouth and the corners almost seemed burnt and inside there was white dead skin as if burnt or something. Cleared up after about 10 days once I used some OTC stuff. Went to my GP who said she believed I'd had an allergic reaction to the stuff used to make the mould, the alginate. Phoned up the dental hospital to be told that it was very uncommon for it to happen though not totally unheard of.

I did already have a very slight cut at one corner of the mouth before they took the mould.

Has anyone ever come across such a scenario? Is there a substitue for alginate, should I ever need to get another splint made up or dentures etc? Seems with me there's always something bloody wrong Thanks.

georgieporgy

Gold foil impressions are the most accurate and no allergic reactions have ever been reported. Expensive though, so rarely used. However if you write a letter to HSE, who knows, they may oblige.

davo10

You could have cerec type 3D imaging impression taken and a splint milled, cost you about a thousand euros but it will save you getting cold sores.

marti8

georgieporgy wrote: »

Gold foil impressions are the most accurate and no allergic reactions have ever been reported. Expensive though, so rarely used. However if you write a letter to HSE, who knows, they may oblige.

Yes, I'm sure the HSE would oblige, lol. Anyway, will be getting a checkup at a dentists this week so will ask then.

marti8

davo10 wrote: »

You could have cerec type 3D imaging impression taken and a splint milled, cost you about a thousand euros but it will save you getting cold sores.

Think I'll pass Maybe polyvinal silocsane, would also be less expensive than gold or 3D imaging.........

georgieporgy

marti8 wrote: »

Think I'll pass Maybe polyvinal silocsane, would also be less expensive than gold or 3D imaging.........

polyvinal,like alginate would be cheaper. But the concern is with possible allergies.

Use of gold foil is a dying art.

3d imaging is the way to go but the equipment cost is high (20,000) and there are user fees too, so in this recessionary climate few dentists can afford the luxury. But there are a few around.

marti8

georgieporgy wrote: »

polyvinal,like alginate would be cheaper. But the concern is with possible allergies.

Use of gold foil is a dying art.

3d imaging is the way to go but the equipment cost is high (20,000) and there are user fees too, so in this recessionary climate few dentists can afford the luxury. But there are a few around.

It's odd that I had a reaction especially as alginate is basically algae (seaweed I think) and we take various supplements for general health and one of them is spirulina which itself is algae yet no reaction, another is kelp (a source of iodine) - we get all our vitamins from the States, a company called Vitacost, excellent prices, much cheaper even with shipping than good old Ireland. Just a heads up.

The oral specialist I saw at the dental hospital said they'd place me on the public waiting list to get an allergy test done for alginate but of course Ireland being Ireland that could take 12 to 18 months.

georgieporgy

marti8 wrote: »

It's odd that I had a reaction especially as alginate is basically algae (seaweed I think) and we take various supplements for general health and one of them is spirulina which itself is algae yet no reaction, another is kelp (a source of iodine) - we get all our vitamins from the States, a company called Vitacost, excellent prices, much cheaper even with shipping than good old Ireland. Just a heads up.

The oral specialist I saw at the dental hospital said they'd place me on the public waiting list to get an allergy test done for alginate but of course Ireland being Ireland that could take 12 to 18 months.

Alginate comes in plastic bags. Better check that out too.

marti8

georgieporgy wrote: »

Alginate comes in plastic bags. Better check that out too.

Well, it is possible - unlikely but possible.

Oral Surgeon

It's most likely not the alginate but the adhesive that sticks the alginate to the impression tray... Could be an allergy or just local irritation from taking a layer of skin/mucosa off with the impression( happened to me while practicing impressions in 2nd year)...
Using pvs may help but is the adhesive the same??? Someone else comment...
Also whatever impression material or adhesive you use- the adhesive part should be used sparingly and not in contact with skin.
Use Vaseline on your lips skin during the impression too.
OS

Big_G

Wow OS, you've really lost your way and forgotten all of your restorative, tut tut. The adhesives are different for alginate and pvs and you may be on to something there.

georgieporgy

How do they handle problems like this in australia? I've heard it said they use kangaroo butter instead of vaseline. Any truth to that?

Oral Surgeon

Big_G wrote: »

Wow OS, you've really lost your way and forgotten all of your restorative, tut tut. The adhesives are different for alginate and pvs and you may be on to something there.

Ah sensei, your student has emptied his mind of impressions materials and denture info only to fill it up again with oral Surg info...;)

marti8

Oral Surgeon wrote: »

It's most likely not the alginate but the adhesive that sticks the alginate to the impression tray... Could be an allergy or just local irritation from taking a layer of skin/mucosa off with the impression( happened to me while practicing impressions in 2nd year)...
Using pvs may help but is the adhesive the same??? Someone else comment...
Also whatever impression material or adhesive you use- the adhesive part should be used sparingly and not in contact with skin.
Use Vaseline on your lips skin during the impression too.
OS

Could be, I hadn't thought of that. Well, will see when it comes time to get another done or dentures or whatever else. I think I must have been an axe murderer in a previous life. That or I have a persecution complex, lol. But then what do they say....you're not paranoid when they really are out to get you

digzy

i'm actually wondering who's taking the piss outa who with this topic;)