Dental implants and resonance?? Many patients after implantation ask themselves: are dental implants a contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging? In the era of modern diagnostic imaging, these concerns are completely understandable. In this article, we dispel all doubts and also answer the frequently asked question – can dentures cause an alarm at the airport?
Do dental implants interfere with MRI?
The short answer is no!
Modern dental implants are usually made of titanium, a completely biocompatible and non-magnetic material. This means that:
- are not attracted by a magnet,
- do not heat up during MRI examination,
- do not interfere with the magnetic field to a significant extent,
- do not pose a risk to the health or quality of the study.
Titanium is a material widely used in implantology and orthopedics, precisely because of its safety in the context of imaging tests.
When can a dental implant affect MRI?
In very rare cases:
- old implants made of surgical steel (mainly before 2000),
- prosthetic elements (connectors, screws) containing admixtures of ferromagnetic metals (e.g. cobalt, nickel),
They can cause image artefacts, i.e. distortions in the image – most often in the craniofacial area.
However, this is not a contraindication – you should simply inform the technician performing the test about the presence of implants.
What about dentures?
For removable dentures that:
- contain metal buckles,
- are made of acrony, acetal or metal,
It is recommended to remove them before the MRI scan. They can cause slight image distortions, especially around the jaw and sinuses.
Do dentures “squeak” at the airport?
This question comes up a lot – and we have good news:
No, standard dental implants and most dentures do NOT trigger an alarm at the airport gates.
Why?
- Implants are too small to be detected by metal detection gates.
- Removable dentures also do not have enough metal content to raise an alarm (even those with metal elements).
- However, if you wear a prosthesis with large clasps or a prosthetic bridge containing metal – it is worth informing the authorities about this before going through the inspection.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
No, modern dental implants – especially titanium ones – are completely safe during magnetic resonance imaging. They do not heat up, do not interfere with the magnetic field and do not pose a threat to the patient. However, it is worth informing the technician about their presence.
No. The materials used in the production of implants (usually titanium or titanium alloys) are resistant to magnetic fields. MRI has no effect on the durability, stability or function of the implants.
Very rarely, implants containing admixtures of ferromagnetic metals (such as old steel implants) can cause artifacts, i.e. image distortions in the maxillofacial area. This applies mainly to older implants from several decades ago.
Yes, in most cases, yes. Especially when they contain metal buckles or retention elements. Removing the prosthesis during the examination prevents image interference and ensures better diagnostic quality.
In the vast majority of cases – no. Dental implants and dentures do not contain enough metal to be detected by airport gates. However, in the case of bridges or dentures with more metal, it is advisable to inform the safety inspector about them.
Yes. If you have implants or wear prosthetic restorations, it is worth having documentation with you – e.g. an implant card or a description of the procedure. This will make it easier for the diagnostician to decide on the type of test.
If for some reason an MRI cannot be performed (e.g. due to the presence of other metal elements in the body), the doctor may suggest alternatives such as computed tomography (CBCT) or classic X-ray.
Summary – dental implants and magnetic resonance imaging
Dental implants and MRI – this is a completely safe combination. Modern titanium implants do not react to magnetic fields and are not a contraindication to MRI. Dentures should be removed before the examination if they contain metal parts.
If you have any doubts – ask your dentist or bring implant documentation to the examination. At Stomo Clinic in Wrocław , we use only the highest quality implants, which are also completely safe in magnetic resonance diagnostics.
