Yes — in the vast majority of cases, you can have an MRI scan with dental implants. Modern dental implants are made from titanium or zirconia, neither of which is ferromagnetic, so they will not move, heat up, or cause you discomfort inside an MRI scanner. Below, the Stella Dental team explains exactly why, covers the one exception to be aware of, and gives you a practical checklist for your radiographer.
How MRI Scans Work (and Why Metal Matters)
An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanner uses a strong magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses to build detailed pictures of the inside of your body. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, MRI involves no ionising radiation, which is one of the reasons it is so widely used across the NHS and private healthcare.
The reason metal raises questions is simple: ferromagnetic materials — metals that are strongly attracted to magnets — can experience pull, torque, or radiofrequency heating inside the scanner bore. Clinical MRI systems typically operate at field strengths of 1.5T or 3T, and any ferromagnetic object in that environment is a safety concern. That is why MRI units ask you to declare all metallic implants before a scan.
Why Dental Implants Are MRI-Safe
Not all metals are ferromagnetic. The materials used in modern dental implants fall into categories that are compatible with MRI scanning. Here is how each one behaves.
Titanium: Non-Ferromagnetic and MR Conditional
The overwhelming majority of dental implants placed today — including all systems used at Stella Dental — are made from commercially pure titanium (Grade 4) or titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V). Titanium is paramagnetic, meaning it has an extremely weak magnetic response that is far too small to cause movement, torque, or clinically significant heating inside an MRI scanner.
Under the classification system defined by ASTM F2503 (the international standard for MR safety labelling of medical devices), titanium dental implants are rated MR Conditional — safe for scanning under the conditions of use specified by the manufacturer. The MHRA Safety Guidelines for Magnetic Resonance Equipment in Clinical Use reflect this classification and confirm that titanium implants do not normally present a contraindication to MRI.
If you already have single dental implants or multi-tooth dental implants, this applies to you: your implant fixtures are safe to remain in place during a scan.
Zirconia: Completely Non-Metallic
Zirconia (zirconium dioxide) implants are ceramic rather than metallic. Because they contain no metal at all, they produce zero magnetic interaction and zero image artefact inside an MRI scanner. If you would like to understand the differences between implant materials, our guide to the different types of dental implants covers this in detail.
Older Implants and Ferromagnetic Alloys
Some implant systems placed before the 1990s — or non-standard systems from certain regions — used alloys containing cobalt-chromium or stainless steel, which can be ferromagnetic. If you have implants placed a long time ago and you are unsure of the material, let your radiographer know. Your dental practice should be able to confirm the implant system and material from your treatment records.
The One Exception: Magnetic Overdenture Attachments
There is one important distinction to understand. Some implant-supported dentures (overdentures) use small magnetic attachments to hold the denture in place on top of the implant fixtures. These magnetic retention components contain permanent magnets and must be removed before an MRI scan.
It is the magnetic attachment inside the denture that is the concern — not the implant fixture itself, which remains safely embedded in the jawbone. If you wear a removable overdenture that clips or snaps onto your implants, ask your dental team whether it uses magnetic retention. If it does, simply remove the denture before your scan, just as you would remove any other item containing metal.
Will Dental Implants Affect Your MRI Images?
Titanium implants can cause a small, localised signal void (known as an artefact) on MRI images. Research published in the British Journal of Radiology indicates that this distortion is typically confined to within a few millimetres of the implant surface. In practice, this is most relevant for head and neck MRI scans where the imaging region is close to the jaw.
Radiologists are well aware of metal artefacts and can adjust scanning sequences to reduce their impact. Techniques such as metal artefact reduction sequences (MARS) are routinely available in modern MRI units. For scans of the knee, spine, abdomen, or other areas away from the jaw, dental implant artefacts are generally not visible at all.
Zirconia implants, being entirely non-metallic, produce no artefact whatsoever.
What to Tell Your Radiographer Before a Scan
If you have dental implants and are booked for an MRI, the following checklist will help you and your radiographer prepare:
- Confirm you have dental implants and state the material if you know it — most modern implants are titanium, but if you are unsure, say so.
- Mention any removable dental work — particularly overdentures or dentures with magnetic attachments, as these need to be taken out before the scan.
- Bring your implant treatment record or passport if available — many dental practices issue a card or document that records the implant system, material, and date of placement.
- Ask your dental practice for a confirmation letter if the MRI unit requests one — Stella Dental is happy to provide written confirmation of your implant type and MRI compatibility.
- Note the approximate date your implants were placed — this helps the MRI team assess whether older materials could be involved.
Being prepared takes only a few minutes and helps your scan go smoothly. If you are unsure about any of these details, contact your dental practice ahead of your appointment — they will have the information on file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have an MRI scan with dental implants?
Yes. Modern dental implants are made from titanium or zirconia, both of which are non-ferromagnetic and safe inside an MRI scanner. You do not need to have your implants removed. Simply inform your radiographer that you have implants and state the material if you know it.
Do dental implants affect MRI image quality?
Titanium implants can cause a minor artefact — a small area of signal distortion — typically within a few millimetres of the implant. This is most noticeable on head and neck scans. Radiologists can adjust scanning sequences to minimise the effect, and it rarely compromises the diagnostic value of the scan.
Do you need to remove dental implants for an MRI?
No. Fixed dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone and do not need to be removed. However, if you have a removable overdenture that uses magnetic attachments to stay in place, the denture itself should be taken out before the scan.
Are zirconia dental implants safer than titanium for MRI?
Zirconia implants are entirely non-metallic, so they produce zero magnetic interaction and no image artefact at all. Titanium implants are also safe for MRI — the only difference is a small localised artefact on images near the jaw. Both materials are fully compatible with MRI scanning.
What should you tell your radiographer if you have dental implants?
Let your radiographer know that you have dental implants, the material they are made from (if known), whether you have any removable dental work such as overdentures, and the approximate date they were placed. If you have your implant treatment record or passport, bring it along.
Can dental implants cause problems in a 3T MRI scanner?
Titanium and zirconia implants are safe at both 1.5T and 3T field strengths. At 3T, the image artefact around a titanium implant may be slightly larger than at 1.5T, but there is no increased risk of movement, heating, or discomfort. The implant remains securely in place.
Book a Dental Implant Consultation at Stella Dental
If you are considering dental implants — or if you already have them and want to understand how long dental implants last, whether dental implants can fall out, or how they fit into your wider healthcare — our team is here to help.
Stella Dental has three clinics across the Midlands, and we are happy to discuss MRI compatibility and any other questions during your consultation:
- Stafford — dental implants in Stafford | dental implant costs in Stafford
- Nottingham — dental implants in Nottingham | dental implant costs in Nottingham
- Stourbridge — dental implants in Stourbridge | dental implant costs in Stourbridge
To learn more about what dental implants are and how they work, explore our implant guides or book a consultation with Stella Dental today.
