Yes. In most cases you can have an MRI with dental implants. Modern dental implants are made of titanium or zirconia, neither of which is attracted by the MRI magnet, so the implant will not move or pull during the scan. The main things to know are that implants can blur part of the image if the scan is of the head or jaw, and that a small number of implant-retained dentures use magnets, which need extra planning. This page explains what matters for MRI safety with dental implants and what to tell your care team beforehand.
This page is general information. Your radiologist makes the final decision about MRI safety for your scan.
How MRI Works And Why Metal Matters
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a very strong magnet and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissue, without the ionizing radiation used in x-rays and CT scans. Because the magnet is so powerful, MRI teams screen every patient for metal. Metal inside the body can matter in three ways:
- Attraction. Ferromagnetic metals (such as iron and some stainless steels) are pulled or twisted by the magnetic field.
- Heating. Radio waves can warm some metal objects slightly during the scan.
- Image artifacts. Metal distorts the magnetic field around it, which can create blurred or dark areas on the images near the metal.
Are Dental Implants MRI Safe?
A dental implant has three parts: the implant post that sits in the jawbone and fuses with it through osseointegration, the abutment that connects to it, and the crown, bridge or denture on top. Most implant posts and abutments are made of titanium or titanium alloy, or of zirconia, a ceramic.
- Titanium implants are non-ferromagnetic. They are not pulled by the MRI magnet, and any heating is minimal.
- Zirconia implants are metal-free and non-magnetic, and they cause very little distortion on MRI images. Our page on metal-free zirconia dental implants explains more about this option.
Reports of patient injury from scanning dental implants are extremely rare. The practical question is usually image quality, not safety.
The 3 MRI Safety Classifications For Implants
Medical implants are labeled using three standard MRI safety terms:
- MR Safe: poses no known hazard in any MRI environment. Non-metallic, non-conducting materials are the kind of items that qualify.
- MR Conditional: safe in an MRI environment under specific conditions, such as a certain magnet strength. Many metal dental components are treated this way.
- MR Unsafe: should not enter the MRI environment. A few magnetic dental devices are labeled this way.
Relatively few dental implants have been formally tested and labeled, so radiology teams usually rely on the material and the manufacturer’s information. This is why it helps to know what your implants and restorations are made of.
What About Crowns, Bridges And Dentures?
- Crowns and bridges. Most are ceramic, porcelain or resin and are non-magnetic. Some older porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns contain metals such as nickel or chromium, which can distort images near the mouth. They are generally not considered a safety risk, although a loose metal crown should be checked before a scan.
- Conventional dentures. Acrylic or porcelain dentures without metal are safe to scan. Your MRI team may still ask you to remove any removable appliance, and partial dentures with metal frameworks are usually taken out before the scan.
- Implant-supported bridges. Fixed bridges on titanium or zirconia implants, including full-arch teeth such as All-on-4™, generally stay in place during an MRI. Let the radiologist know they are there, especially for a head or neck scan.
Magnetic Dentures And MRI Safety
Some implant overdentures snap into place using small magnets instead of mechanical attachments. These need special attention before an MRI:
- The magnets in the removable denture should be taken out of the scanner room with the denture.
- Some systems also have a magnetic or ferromagnetic “keeper” fixed on top of the implant. Removing the denture does not remove the keeper.
- Keepers and magnets can create very large image artifacts across the face and head, and the MRI field can weaken or damage the magnets.
If you have magnetic attachments, tell your radiologist and your dentist. In many systems the keeper can be unscrewed from the implant before the scan and replaced afterward. The manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed. Most implant overdentures use non-magnetic attachments, which do not raise these issues.
Will Dental Implants Affect My MRI Images?
Titanium implants can cause a small area of distortion around the implant, and metal crowns can cause more. For a scan of the knee, spine or abdomen, this makes no difference. For MRI of the brain, face, sinuses or jaw, the radiologist may adjust the scan settings to reduce artifacts or, if needed, suggest another type of imaging. Zirconia implants cause the least distortion.
For planning dental implant treatment itself, we use cone beam CT (3D x-ray imaging) rather than MRI, because it shows bone in fine detail.
How To Prepare For An MRI If You Have Dental Implants
- Tell your doctor and the MRI technologist that you have dental implants, and where they are.
- Know what your implants are made of and whether any attachments are magnetic. Your implant dentist or periodontist can tell you.
- Mention any removable dentures, partials, retainers or other appliances, and be ready to take them out.
- Report any loose crown, bridge or attachment before the scan.
- If you feel warmth or pulling during the scan, tell the technologist right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Get An MRI With A Tooth Implant?
Yes. Titanium and zirconia tooth implants are non-magnetic, and most people with implants have MRI scans without any problems. Always tell the MRI team about your implants.
Can I Have An MRI With A Dental Bridge?
Usually, yes. Most bridges are ceramic or porcelain. Metal-containing bridges can blur images near the mouth but are not generally a safety concern. A loose bridge should be checked first.
Do I Need To Remove My Dentures For An MRI?
Your MRI team may ask you to remove removable dentures and appliances. Magnetic dentures must be removed, and fixed magnetic keepers may need attention from your dentist.
Are Dental Implant Screws Magnetic?
No. Implant posts and the screws that hold abutments and crowns in place are almost always titanium or titanium alloy, which is non-magnetic. The exception is the keeper used in some magnetic denture systems.
Can You Have A Head MRI With Dental Implants?
Yes. A head or brain MRI is safe with modern dental implants. Because the implants sit close to the area being scanned, tell the MRI technician in advance so they can adjust the MRI settings and plan the scan properly to limit image distortion near the jaw.
What About Older Implants Or Other Dental Work?
If your implants were placed many years ago and you do not know what they are made of, ask the dentist who placed them or bring any records you have. Metal fillings, including amalgam, are not a safety concern for MRI, although they can cause small artifacts on images of the face.
Is It Safe To Get Dental Implants If I Need Regular MRIs?
Yes. Titanium and zirconia implants are compatible with MRI. If you have regular scans of the head or neck, ask about zirconia implants and non-magnetic attachments to keep image distortion as low as possible.
Book A Consultation
If you have questions about your implants and upcoming medical imaging, or you are planning implant treatment and want to discuss materials, our board-certified periodontists can help. Call (347) 493-2439 or request a consultation online.
