A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of your body. Dental implants are fixed restorative devices placed in the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Since the implant post is a fixed metallic object, patients often wonder if they can safely undergo an MRI procedure. The compatibility depends on the specific materials involved.
The Core Safety Question
The answer to whether you can receive an MRI with dental implants is generally yes, but with important considerations. Modern dental implants are considered safe for the magnetic fields used in MRI machines. The primary safety concern with any metal in an MRI environment is the risk of the object being pulled by the strong magnetic field or generating heat.
Fortunately, the materials used in current implants do not react adversely. Cases of movement or significant heating are extremely rare with today’s standard components, due to intentional material selection by manufacturers.
Understanding Implant Material Composition
The safety of a dental implant during an MRI procedure hinges on whether its components are ferromagnetic. Ferromagnetic materials, like iron or nickel, are strongly attracted to magnets and pose a serious safety risk in an MRI scanner. Modern implants, however, are typically made of non-ferromagnetic materials such as titanium, titanium alloys, or zirconia.
Titanium, the most common material for the implant screw, is paramagnetic, meaning it is only very weakly affected by a magnetic field. This non-magnetic property ensures the implant does not move or heat up significantly during the scan. Older or less common dental hardware, including certain crowns, bridges, or temporary components, are more likely to be ferromagnetic and carry a greater risk.
Impact on Image Quality and Patient Comfort
Even when an implant is safe, its presence can still affect the quality of the resulting MRI images. Metallic dental components can cause a susceptibility artifact, which appears as a distortion or dark area on the scan. This artifact is a signal void that obscures the visibility of nearby soft tissues, which can be problematic if the scan is focused on the head, neck, or jaw.
Radiologists may use specialized techniques, such as specific sequences like slice encoding for metal artifact correction (SEMAC), to reduce these distortions. While the risk of heating is minimal with titanium, there is a theoretical possibility of minor localized temperature elevation due to radiofrequency induction. Studies suggest this remains within acceptable safety ranges for 1.5 Tesla scanners. Patients may occasionally report a slight pulling sensation, but this is uncommon and not a danger with modern, securely anchored implants.
Essential Steps Before Your MRI
Before your procedure, you must inform your referring doctor and the MRI technologist about your dental implants. Clear communication is necessary for both safety and image quality. The MRI facility must be aware of any metallic objects in your body to determine the appropriate safety protocol.
You should obtain documentation from your dentist regarding the exact type, manufacturer, and material composition of your implants. This information confirms the implant’s MRI compatibility rating, often specified for different magnetic field strengths, such as 1.5 Tesla or 3 Tesla machines. Providing these specific details allows the technologist to adjust the scanning parameters to minimize image artifacts and ensure the safest procedure.