DO MY DENTAL IMPLANTS AFFECT MRI

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a powerful investigatory tool used by medical imaging technicians to help physicians diagnose internal health issues affecting the body’s tissues and organs. MRIs are commonly used to look for tumors, examine the health of your heart’s chambers or determine whether your brain has suffered any damage from a stroke. An MRI unit sends a strong magnetic field throughout the different tissue of body and each tissue reacts different to this. This information is translated to a 3D image through computer programs.

Since the unit acts as a giant magnet it does react with metals.

There are some metals like steel, nickel and cobalt that are highly susceptible to the magnets. These metals are called Ferromagnetic metals. They will react with the magnetic field produced by MRI unit and will interfere with the accuracy of MRI. So patients are advised to remove anything that has metal before getting an MRI is done.

Most modern implants from good brands are made from either Titanium or Zirconia. We at Edison Prosthodontics provide both. Titanium and Zirconia are not ferromagnetic metal, meaning that they don’t react to magnetism. Someone with titanium dental implants in Edison can undergo MRI imaging without any concern about safety risks, adverse reactions or compromised accuracy.

Even though titanium and zirconia dental implants don’t interfere with an MRI, past dental treatment may present a concern for MRI technologists. For this reason, you should be extremely careful to provide your physician and the treating diagnostic technician with a detailed medical and dental history. Metal fillings, crowns containing metal infrastructure, braces and even dentures may contain ferromagnetic materials that can interfere with an MRI scan. 

If you have any questions about the purpose, need and safety of proposed diagnostic imaging including MRI scans, be sure to take the time to get answers and information you need from your physician or specialist. If you have had past dental work that you’re concerned about (such as fillings, crowns, bridges, implants or dentures), don’t hesitate to speak with us at Edison prosthodontics for confirmation that undergoing an MRI is safe or risky.