I am losing a tooth. This has never happened to me since I was a kid! My dentist recommends I get a dental implant. However, I have a pituitary adenoma that they have to keep an eye on. I get an MRI every year. Would it be possible to get an MRI if I have a dental implant?

Evelyn

Dear Evelyn,

I am sorry to hear about your pituitary adenoma. I know another person who deals with that and it has wreaked havoc on her body.

You are not alone in wondering about whether or not dental implants are safe for an MRI. Another common question has to do with security sensors. The good news is they are safe for both. You may be wondering if there is metal in them, how are they safe?

What Is an MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a test that creates a strong magnetic field and then uses radio waves and digital software to obtain cross-sectional images of the body, particularly soft tissue. Because of this magnetic field, patients are advised not to go into an MRI scanner with any metal on or about their person. This is due to the danger of migration, heating up, projectiles, or other ill effects. Any ferromagnetic metal is unsafe during an MRI. Some examples of ferromagnetic metals include nickel, iron, and manganese, among others.

What are Dental Implants Made From?

Dental implants are made with either titanium or zirconia. While zirconia is metal-free, so most people don’t worry about those, titanium is metal. The good news is that this type of metal is paramagnetic, which makes it perfectly safe for an MRI.

Your dentist was right to suggest this as the tooth replacement. It will be the closest thing to having a healthy, natural tooth again.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.