Titanium, bone, etc

[Guest guest]

I said I would find the reference to the metal in bone/autoimmune condition in an earlier post, and I have found it, but unfortunately, the webpage no longer exists. The home site does, at http://www.hugnet.com/, but the reference I was referring to was on a FAQ page, which is no longer there. I had printed off a hard copy, so here it what Dr. Huggins wrote at this former website:

http://www.hugnet.com/faq.html

"When I was taking my masters program, I asked the professor in immunology class which of the implant materials would be best. None was his reply. Why? Anything that is implanted within the bone that is not your own bone will initiate an autoimmune process. The only difference is the speed at which the reaction will occur. I saw this demonstrated once, when we did the dental treatment on a patient with multiple sclerosis. After all the root canals, nickel and amalgam were removed, she experienced a "spontaneous remission". She was doing quite well, then her hometown dentist looked at her compatibility report, and found that she was not reactive to titanium. He placed 3 implants at a cost of a new fully equipped Chevy, and waited for them to heal. Next he planned to cover them with bridges. Within 3 weeks her MS came back again. She called for advice, and I told her to get the implants removed. "But I'm compatible with them." Yes, in the mouth, not in bone. She came back to see me after healing had taken place and I contructed partial dentures for her. Guess what metal I used. Yes, titanium. It is immunocompatible in the mouth where there is a barrier between the material and the insides of the body. But nothing is really compatible inside your body except you. This is upsetting to many people who would like to depend upon the super stability of an implant to place a crown, bridge or clip onto an overdenture. Mechanically they prove to be a boon to the problems of missing teeth. From the biochemical standpoint, one should know that if you have one placed, you are courting autoimmune disease. Which one? Pick one from your genetic host of possibilities. Where is your weak link? Consider yourself informed so that you can make a better decision."

Patty