Mishaps during Composite Restoration: Acute Allergic Angioedema and Contact Dermatitis

Unexpected results and negligence can lead to mishaps in the dental operatory. With the trend of using tooth colored restorations mishaps have also increased which are sometimes ignored due to lack of knowledge. Although, resin based restorative materials are considered safe, their constituents can leach out and cause allergies in patients as well as dental professionals. Safe handling of these resin based materials is critical due to increased risk of occupational health hazards. Most of the allergies caused by resins are related to monomers based on methacrylic acid which is found in almost all types of dentin bonding agents. Also, it is estimated that 5% to 10% of all allergic contact dermatitis reports in dental professionals are due to contact with methacrylate. On the contrary, 37% phosphoric acid in etchant results in necrosis and ulcerative lesions due to vascular nature of the oral cavity. The purpose of this article is to help dentists to become aware of allergies/mishaps that can occur due to bonding agents and phosphoric acid, thereby leading to prevention and their early management.