Need an MRI and nervous about getting it

[blackapple]

Has anyone had a recent MRI since being braced? Being in the health care field I was extremely nervous about my orthopedist recommending one for my knee. He suspects torn ligament but can't confirm for sure unless I have an MRI. I keep envisioning my teeth being pulled out by the force of the magnetic field of the MRI machine.

I called my orthodontist this morning and explained the situation to the women over the phone. She seemed unsure so I asked her to ask the orthodontist himself. Basically I was told that I may be okay as long as I am not entering in head first. I may be okay are words that are not sitting right with me at this time. I guess I can always ask the MRI tech before I even go in but I am stressing a bit over this already.

[bbsadmin]

I had an MRI or two when I had braces. I remember the technician asking if the braces come off. Uh.....no.

But anyway, it was fine. No problems. Really.

[Jethro]

Don't worry, you'll be just fine. I recently had to have an MRI of, are you ready, MY HEAD! I too was concernced about having a mouth full of metal and the potential interaction with the machine. I discussed this at length with the MRI tech prior to the procedure. He allowed me to stand right next to the machine while it was operating just to ensure there was no interaction prior to my MRI. Everything went smoothly, with no detectable interaction with my braces (other than a slight "ghosting" of some images near my mouth, which he anticipated).

Having an MRI of your knee should be a piece of cake. Of course, there is typically a form to complete prior to the procedure where you would disclose the fact that you have braces and, as you mentioned, let the tech know.

So, no need to stress....good luck.

[blackapple]

Thanks to both of you that really puts me at ease. Brain MRI's are no fun. I have one last summer and freaked over being claustrophobic with the head cradle/football mask.

After spending a nice chunk of change for my braces I didn't want to end up having to pay for early dentures too.

[rolo]

I had an MRI, with upper incognito / Ibraces lingual brace and lower ceramic brace, no probs, I was told by the radiologist only a problem if scanning the head. My orthodontist told me to tell them it was the equivalent of 6-8 gold crowns, and also told me people don't get crowns removed for the process.

They set up the machine before turning on the magnetic field so no issue with head first. The radiographer doing the scan told me the risk was with loose metal of low weight rather than stuff that's stuck down. So a coin for example could jump rapidly toward the scanner and injure someone, where as something stuck firmly to your teeth wouldn't move.

[sadpanda]

Braces aren't made of magnetic materials, so you shouldn't have a problem with an MRI. And for the same reason, you can't stick refrigerator magnets on your teeth. I am actually only allowed to have an MRI of my head because I have a vagus nerve stimulator implanted in my chest and the MRI, with its strong magnetic force, can burn my insides from my neck down. Braces are pretty common. I think the MRI people would know to not put anyone in there if they were magnetic. You could get a CT scan instead.

[blackapple]

Thanks again to all that responded. At least others won't worry too if they find themselves in similar predicament.