The short answer: yes, in most cases. People with modern titanium dental implants can have MRI and CT scans. An implant on its own doesn’t rule them out.
Two things are worth knowing. First, a metal implant can distort the image (an artefact). Second, if there are other metal parts in your mouth as well, such as a denture or a magnetic attachment, tell the radiology team. The final decision rests with the radiology team carrying out the scan.
Can You Have an MRI with a Dental Implant?
Generally, yes. Most dental implants are made of titanium or a titanium alloy. Unlike iron, titanium isn’t pulled by a magnetic field, so the implant isn’t expected to move out of the bone during an MRI.
Still, not every implant system is the same. The manufacturer’s information and any other parts in your mouth matter. RadiologyInfo recommends telling the technologist about every implant and device in your body before an MRI, ideally with the device name and manufacturer.
Can an Implant Heat Up or Move in an MRI?
MRI also uses radio waves. According to RadiologyInfo, some implants can heat up noticeably from this energy. The same source notes that dental fillings and braces are usually not affected by the magnetic field, but can distort images of the face and brain.
A healed, modern titanium implant set in the jawbone isn’t expected to move. But that doesn’t mean every metal in the body is safe for MRI. Removable dentures, magnetic attachments and other implant systems are assessed separately.
Does an Implant Affect a Brain MRI?
In most cases, a brain MRI can be done on someone with dental implants. But metal in the mouth and jaw can cause distortions in the image, known as artefacts, which make the tissue near the implant harder to see.
How much it matters depends on the implant material, other restorations in the mouth, the area being scanned and the strength of the scanner. A laboratory study (not on patients; published as a conference abstract) reported that artefacts varied with the material and with scanner strength between 1.5 and 3 Tesla. You can read the abstract here. If needed, the radiologist can adjust the scan settings to reduce distortion.
Can You Have a CT Scan with Dental Implants?
Yes. CT uses X-rays and doesn’t involve a strong magnetic field like MRI, so an implant isn’t assessed in terms of magnetic safety in the same way.
Metal can still cause streaks and reduce image quality on CT, especially around the implant when the mouth, jaw and face are scanned. That doesn’t stop the scan; the radiology team takes it into account when reading it.
Does an implant show up on X-rays and CT?
Yes. Because it’s metal, an implant shows up clearly on X-rays and CT. That’s why dentists use imaging such as panoramic X-rays at implant check-ups.
How Soon After an Implant Can You Have an MRI?
There’s no single time that applies to everyone. It depends on the implant, the manufacturer’s MRI instructions and your situation. If you’ve just had an implant and an MRI is planned, tell both your dentist and the radiology team. Without that assessment, it wouldn’t be right to give a waiting period that applies to everyone.
What to Do Before an MRI
- Mention your dental implant when you book the MRI.
- If you can, give the implant’s brand and model. Your dental clinic can provide this.
- If you wear a removable denture, tell the radiology staff.
- Tell them about any other medical implants or devices in your body.
- Follow the radiology team’s safety instructions, and tell them straight away if you feel anything unusual during the scan.
These steps help make sure the scan is done under the right conditions.
Dental Implants at Ayla Dent
Implant treatment to replace missing teeth is planned around the condition of your jawbone and mouth. The implant material, the system used and your general health are all part of that plan. Read more in our articles on implant treatment in Bağcılar and local versus imported implants.
For more on treatment, see our dental implants page, view our equipment on the technology and equipment page, or book an examination at our clinic in Bağcılar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have an MRI with a titanium implant?
Most modern titanium implants don’t prevent an MRI, or are safe under specific MRI conditions. The technical details of your implant system should still be checked.
Can I have a brain MRI with an implant?
Usually, yes. Metal in the mouth can cause artefacts on some images; the radiology team plans the scan with that in mind.
Can I have a chest CT with an implant?
Yes. A dental implant generally doesn’t interfere with a chest CT; it’s well away from the area being scanned.
Will the implant show on a CT scan?
Yes. The metal shows up on CT and can cause some distortion around it.
Will an implant hurt during an MRI?
Under the right conditions, no pain is expected from a modern dental implant. If you feel anything unusual, warmth or discomfort during the scan, tell the radiology staff immediately.
Do zirconia implants give better MRI images?
In the laboratory study mentioned above, zirconia caused fewer artefacts. But that wasn’t a patient study. Your dentist decides which implant suits you.
Can I wear a removable denture in an MRI?
Removable dentures may have metal parts or magnetic attachments. Tell the radiology team; you may be asked to take it out.
I’ve just had an implant. Can I have an MRI straight away?
In some cases it may be possible. There’s no waiting period that applies to everyone. Let your dentist and the radiology team know before the scan.
Sources: RadiologyInfo.org, MRI Safety; AAN 2026 conference abstract on the effect of dental metals on brain MRI (in vitro).