MRI and Braces

Can I have a MRI with Braces?  

In most cases, you will find that you will be able to have a MRI with your dental braces or bonded retainers in your mouth.  However, the official MRI results maybe inconclusive and the technician will ask to redo the MRI when the braces are off for a more accurate screening result.

The braces in some instances will cause some objects to distract the image of the brain taken via the MRI.   If you are having another part of your body scanned other than the brain, such as your shoulders, the braces generally will not pose a problem at all.

In summary, the presence of metal components during a brain scan may complicate the scan and skew the results.   If the MRI is not needed immediately and budget is of concern, you may prefer to wait until your braces are completely off to have the scan.  It is perfectly safe to have the brain scan while wearing braces.

Health insurances, not dental insurance usually coverers the brain scan in full, however with the latest in health insurance coverage, you have to be sure you have met your deductible and/or abide to your health insurance specs.