When it comes to replacing missing teeth, dental implants have long been lauded as the gold standard, since they’re capable of restoring a smile in terms of both appearance and functionality. That said, if you have dental implants, you’re probably fully aware that there are titanium posts inside of you—without these posts, the implants wouldn’t be able to serve as sturdy replacement tooth roots!
But how else will this metal in your mouth impact your daily life? You might think that even something as simple as walking through a metal detector will now cause problems, but in reality, you usually won’t have to worry about these types of inconveniences when you have dental implants. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Dental Implants Don’t Trigger Metal Detectors
Dental implants aren’t just made from regular, run-of-the-mill metal; these posts are crafted from titanium, which is an alloy that sees unparalleled use in the world of medicine. One unique property of titanium is that it’s biocompatible and capable of fusing with our bone tissue, forming a close-to-natural and remarkably strong permanent bond. This quality is why dental implants stand apart from other restorative options, like dentures; since they replace the roots of the teeth, they also replace the support provided by them, which in turn prevents the loss of further jawbone tissue due to resorption.
Titanium is a little more difficult for metal detectors to pick up, since it’s non-ferrous and less magnetic compared to something like iron or steel. Plus, since a very small amount of titanium is being used to begin with (implants are normally anywhere from 3.5mm to 15mm in length), it’s not likely that a metal detector will successfully detect its presence. On the other hand, if you have a hip or knee replacement, or any other type of metal plate, screws, or rods inside of your body, there’s a greater chance of setting off the metal detector.
If for some reason your dental implants do set off a metal detector, all you need to do is explain to the security personnel that you have dental implants—you likely won’t have to worry about a long screening process, since dental implants are a fairly common form of tooth replacement!
About the Practice
Our team here at Costello & DeHart Dental Excellence has proudly served the dental needs of patients and families in Arlington Heights and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide variety of services, including full-service dental implants under one roof. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to schedule an appointment, you can reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (847) 259-1111.