List of Articles by Author

1. Mehulić K, Mehulić M, Kos P. Contact Sensitivity to Dental Prosthetic Materials - Alloys. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2005;39(2):181-93.
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   Title in English:	Contact Sensitivity to Dental Prosthetic Materials - Alloys
   Title in Croatian:	Kontaktna preosjetljivost na stomatološke protetske materijale - slitine
   Type of Article:	review
   MeSH:	DENTAL ALLOYS + adverse effects HYPERSENSITIVITY
   Abstract:	Type IV reactions, reactions of delayed hypersensitivity, are manifestations of cellular immunity. Such reactions are caused by sensitised T-lymphocytes. In dental medicine contact sensitivity is of particular interest, as restorations are in long-term direct contact with oral tissues and saliva and during function they wear and bend, leading to corrosive processes which result in the release of ions, their accumulation in the tissues and possible sensitivity, i.e. allergic reaction. Dentists need to chose alloys with less tendency to the release of ions, in other words good biotolerance. It is recommended that the use of alloy with a high share of nickel should be avoided. Patch test is indicated for all patients with a history of hypersensitivity to metal or other materials used in the construction of a prosthetic restoration.

2. Mehulić K, Mehulić M, Kos P, Komar D, Prskalo K. Investigation of Contact Allergies to Component and Auxiliary Prosthetic Materials. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2004;38(4):341-53.
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   Title in English:	Investigation of Contact Allergies to Component and Auxiliary Prosthetic Materials
   Title in Croatian:	Ispitivanje kontaktne alergije na gradivne i pomoćne protetske materijale
   Type of Article:	original scientific paper
   MeSH:	HYPERSENSITIVITY DENTAL MATERIALS
   Abstract:	Contact allergy is a delayed reaction to sensitivity in which a localised lesion of the skin or mucous membrane occurs as a result of contact with an allergen. The fitting of a fixed, or placement of a mobile, prosthetic appliance in the oral cavity causes corrosive processes to occur on the surface of the restoration and the release of ions which, as haptens, can induce allergic reaction. The aim of this investigation was to examine the occurrence of allergies to component and auxiliary prosthetic materials by patch test in patients with lichen ruber planus, stomatitis and stomatopyrosis. Thirtytwo patients with fixed and/or mobile restorations and seven patients with one of the above diagnoses without a restoration, participated in the investigation. Testing was carried out by standard technique (patch test) with 13 allergens. The results of the investigation indicate the greater probability of a positive patch test in subjects with the aforementioned diseases and with a restoration, in relation to subjects without a restoration (P = 0.62). The probability of symptoms worsening increased with the insertion/ fitting of a fixed or placement of a mobile restoration (P = 0.019). This was particularly so in the case of restorations made of Co-Cr-Mo alloy. With the increase in the number of units of fixed restorations, or the presence of mobile restorations in both jaws, the probability of a positive patch test to cobalt chloride also increased (P = 0.05). Lichen ruber planus increased the probability of a positive patch test in the majority of cases (P = 0.05). The greatest number of positive results were for the allergens nickel, cobalt and chrome (each 17.95%) and a negative finding was obtained for dibutylphthalate and HH mix. Stomatopyrosis increased the probability that the subject would have a positive result for chrome (P = 0.019). The occurrence of a positive patch test was greater in women for all allergens (P = 0.05), apart from epoxy resin, where it was less than in the male subjects (P=0.036). Because of the greater incidence of contact allergies in the population a more detailed investigation of prosthetic materials is needed prior to their introduction into clinical practice. In the case of patients with atopic history allergological testing and immunological tests should be performed prior to prosthetic treatment.