Reviewed by Dr. Matthew Young, DDS
Reading time: three minutes.
If you have a dental implant and need an MRI, it is natural to have questions about safety. Since metal and MRIs are often thought to be a risky combination, patients sometimes worry that their implant could heat up, move, or interfere with the scan.
In this blog, we will cover what dental implants are made of, how MRI technology works, and what you should share with your healthcare provider before your scan.
Table of Contents
- Implants and MRI Safety
- What Modern Dental Implants Are Made Of
- Is It Safe to Get an MRI With Dental Implants?
- When Dental Implants Might Affect MRI Results
- What About Older Implants?
- Dental Implants in San Francisco, CA
Key Takeaway
You can safely get an MRI with modern dental implants.Titanium and zirconia implants are non-magnetic materials, which means they do not interfere with magnetic fields, radio waves, or electrical currents in MRI machines. MRI scans are safe for most implant patients, but it is important to inform your healthcare provider about your dental history and any metallic objects in your body.
Implants and MRI Safety
Some people worry their dental implant will react badly to an MRI scan.
That fear comes from the fact that:
- MRI uses strong magnets: The magnetic field can attract certain ferromagnetic metals.
- Metal can cause image artifacts: These are distortions or blurry spots in the detailed cross-sectional images.
- Older implants used different dental materials: Some included ferromagnetic components like stainless steel.
But modern implants are not made from those types of magnetic components.
What Modern Dental Implants Are Made Of
Today’s dental implants will not interfere with an MRI.
Most are made of:
- Titanium: A non-magnetic, biocompatible material that integrates with bone. It is the primary material used for most implant posts.
- Zirconia: A ceramic material that contains no metal and is suitable for patients with allergic reactions to metals.
Titanium implants are the most common type. They are used in both medical procedures and dental care for their strength and patient safety. Titanium is not a ferromagnetic substance, so it does not pose a safety risk in MRI environments.
Learn more about How to Make Your Dental Implants Last a Lifetime.
Is It Safe to Get an MRI With Dental Implants?
Yes, getting an MRI with modern dental implants is generally safe. MRI is a diagnostic tool that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to generate detailed images of soft tissues in the human body.
Here is what you should do before your scan:
1. Tell your MRI technician: Always let the medical staff know about any metallic implants, metal devices, or foreign objects in your body. They may adjust scan settings or note the implant location.
2. Ask your dentist for details: Your dentist can confirm the implant material and provide documentation to share with your healthcare team.
3. Expect minor image distortion: Dental implants may slightly affect image quality around the jaw, face, or brain. This depends on the type of implant and proximity to the scanned area. If the scan is focused on another part of the body, such as the spine or abdomen, it will not matter.
When Dental Implants Might Affect MRI Results
In rare cases, your implant may interfere with accurate imaging, but only in specific situations.
Here are some possibilities:
- Head and neck scans: The area around the implant might show a shadow or minor image distortion.
- Multiple metal restorations: Metal crowns, metal bridges, or metal fillings may reduce image quality.
- Low-strength MRI machines: Newer units (1.5T or 3T) manage metal artifacts better than older units.
If your radiologist knows you have metal implants, they will consider that when interpreting your scan results.
What About Older Implants?
If you had dental implants placed decades ago, they may contain ferromagnetic materials or ferromagnetic debris.
In this case:
- Ask your original dentist or oral surgeons about the implant material used.
- Your healthcare professional may suggest x-rays or CT scans instead if the MRI scan could affect image clarity.
Still, most older dental implants do not pose a safety risk or interfere with diagnostic results.
Dental Implants in San Francisco, CA
At Post Street Dental Group, we provide expert dental implant care tailored to your needs, with a focus on safety, aesthetics, and long-term function.To book an appointment at our dental office in San Francisco, CA, call (415) 986-4534 or visit us at 490 Post St Suite 520, San Francisco, CA 94102.