MRI scan and fixed dental retainer

[Icanseewhyichangednyusername]

Am i safe to go ahead if i have a fixed retainer? I will be sure to mention to the doctor before hand but wondered if any of you have any knowledge of this

Is it metal?

They’ll be able to confirm before the mri that the metal in retainer isn’t reactive to the mri. They are usually perfectly safe in an MRI.

But it depends on what area the mri is looking at as the retainer may cause distortion

okay yes its meal to my knowledge... maybe i should contact the hospital before the appointment to avoid wasting the appointment if we cant go ahead.
Its to look in my ears if the helps
Thanks both

I am an mri radiographer. Your fixed retainer will not be pulled from your mouth you will be pleased to know!! But it will cause what we call a signal void all around it because of the metal and this will probably extend to the ears area so will be unlikely to get any information therefore a pointless scan. Quite often we get the dental department to remove them prior to the scan and then refit them after. Recently ive had some patients report an almost horrific vibrating/painful feeling in their mouth when we have scanned them and they have had to cut the scan short as they are unable to continue. Im not sure if they are making them with different metals these days as we didnt used to have this problem. Contact your hospital for clarification but i feel a brief removal for the scan will be best so there will be no metal artefact on your scan! Hope that helps!

Mine was fine when I had an MRI on my head.

@radness75 goodness me yes I will definitely contact them before hand! Thank you for the advice and information

Thanks again all, they were super informative and patient at the hospital and seemed to think it shouldn’t be a problem. Let’s see what the results come back with hey!