Do braces contain any nickel?
This is an important question that I honestly do not often get. Yes, stainless steel (or silver) braces do contain trace amounts of nickel. However, a true allergic reaction to nickel is rare. Most often patients with nickel allergies are female. The reason that this is so is due to the fact that most nickel exposure is encountered though jewelry (i.e. earrings) wear. This trend may change with more males beginning to wear jewelry and other objects containing nickel. Even when a patient exhibits an allergic reaction to nickel containing objects; a reaction to nickel in braces does not always occur due to the limited amounts contained in stainless steel braces. Patients seeking orthodontic treatment who might be hypersensitive to nickel can be tested for a true nickel allergy prior to treatment or seek treated with alternative materials such as ceramic or clear braces which do not contain nickel. Nickel free wires can also be used during treatment. October 2009 Q: Dr. Snodgrass and Dr.
