Yes, you can get an X-ray with braces. This is a common concern because orthodontic devices involve metal, but the procedure is completely safe and routinely performed by dentists and orthodontists. The presence of metal brackets and wires does not create a physical risk or danger to the patient during the brief exposure to radiation. The materials in the braces do not absorb or react to the X-rays in a way that would cause harm. The main consideration is not safety, but the effect the metal has on the resulting image quality.
Is It Safe and Possible
The materials used in modern orthodontic appliances, such as stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic, are safe for X-ray procedures. These metals and alloys do not become radioactive, nor do they pose a risk of electrical conduction or overheating during imaging. Orthodontic patients routinely have X-rays taken throughout their treatment, confirming the safety of the procedure.
The physical presence of the brackets and wires does not prevent the X-ray beam from passing through the patient to create an image. X-rays are a foundational tool for monitoring treatment progress, assessing root position, and checking for decay while braces are in place. Modern digital X-ray technology has also improved safety by significantly reducing radiation exposure compared to older film-based methods.
Interference with Dental Imaging
The primary issue with X-rays and braces is the creation of “metallic artifacts” on the resulting image, which can obscure anatomical details. These artifacts appear as bright white streaks or shadows radiating from the metal components, making it difficult to visualize the underlying tooth structure or surrounding bone. The density of the metal, particularly stainless steel brackets and archwires, causes this scattering of the X-ray beam.
Certain types of dental X-rays are more susceptible to this visual interference than others. Panoramic X-rays, which capture a broad, two-dimensional view of the entire jaw, often show extensive streaking across the midline. Cephalometric X-rays, used to analyze the relationship between the jaw and skull, are also significantly affected by the metal, especially when precise measurements are needed for treatment planning.
Smaller, intraoral images, such as periapical or bitewing X-rays, may be less affected, depending on the exact location of the brackets relative to the area of interest. Clinicians may utilize advanced techniques to mitigate these artifacts, such as adjusting the X-ray exposure settings or employing specialized metal artifact reduction algorithms, particularly with Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans. Temporary wire removal might be considered in rare cases where extreme clarity is necessary, but this is uncommon for routine checkups.
Braces and General Medical X-rays
When a patient with braces requires a general medical X-ray of an area outside of the head or neck, the orthodontic devices usually cause no diagnostic problems. For images of the chest, abdomen, or a fractured limb, the metal brackets are entirely outside the field of view of the X-ray beam. The radiation aimed at the body part being examined does not interact with the braces, and thus the resulting image is unaffected.
If the medical X-ray specifically targets the head or neck region, such as a cervical spine X-ray, the metal in the mouth may cause some localized artifacts on the image. Unlike dental imaging, these artifacts rarely interfere with the overall diagnostic goal, which is typically focused on bone structures like the vertebrae rather than the fine detail of the teeth. Radiologists are accustomed to interpreting images that contain minor metallic interference.
Specialized Imaging (MRI and CT)
For more specialized non-X-ray imaging, like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the concern shifts from artifacts to the magnetic properties of the metal, though most modern orthodontic materials are considered MRI-safe. Computed Tomography (CT) scans are highly susceptible to metallic artifacts, which can produce severe streaking and obscure nearby soft tissues. When planning such scans, medical professionals assess whether the artifacts from the braces could compromise the diagnostic quality for the area being studied.