Dental materials and magnetic resonance imaging

Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent. 2002 Sep;10(3):125-30.

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the reaction of selected dental materials in the magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging device to determine a possible health risk. The following dental materials were tested in vitro during magnetic resonance imaging: 15 dental alloys, four dental implants, one surgical splint and two wires for fixation of maxillofacial fractures. Possible artefacts (corresponding with magnetic properties), heating and force effects were tested. Results concerning movement and heating were in agreement with the literature. The artefacts seen were significant: for the surgical splint, a spherical artefact with a diameter of 55 mm; for the wires, up to 22 mm; and for the dental blade implant, an artefact of 28 x 20 mm. The results of our tests of selected dental appliances indicate that their presence in the human organism is safe for patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging procedures. The presence of artefacts can substantially influence the magnetic resonance imaging results.

MeSH terms

  • Artifacts*
  • Bone Wires / adverse effects
  • Burns / etiology
  • Dental Alloys / adverse effects
  • Dental Implants / adverse effects
  • Dental Materials / adverse effects*
  • Dental Prosthesis / adverse effects
  • Electromagnetic Fields / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / adverse effects*
  • Materials Testing
  • Mechanics
  • Metals / adverse effects*
  • Movement
  • Splints / adverse effects

Substances

  • Dental Alloys
  • Dental Implants
  • Dental Materials
  • Metals