Are you preparing to travel across the country by airplane? If so, you may be dreading the screening that is required as part of the security checkpoint. You don’t want to hold up the line or experience the embarrassment that can often come with getting pulled to the side for a “pat down.” Will your dental implants set off the metal detectors or will you remain undetected by the guards? Keep reading to find out why you likely have nothing to worry about when it comes to your new teeth.
What Kind of Metal is Used to Create Dental Implants?
Dental implants can be made out of various materials, but the most common is often titanium. Because of how well it fuses with bone and its surrounding tissues, it proves to be highly durable and functional. Other materials used to create dental implants also include zirconia and ceramic.
Should You Expect Dental Implants to Set Off Metal Detectors?
No, you do not need to worry about your dental implants setting off any metal detectors, and here is why:
- Metal detectors only pick up those items that have a magnetic field. Since most implants are made of titanium, they often don’t contain a strong magnetic field, allowing them to remain undetected.
- Dental implants are incredibly small. While there are some instances of gum wrappers causing alarm bells to go off, most metal detectors will not pick up on the amount of titanium inside your mouth.
- These titanium posts are placed within the jawbone, which means they are better protected and insulated from the magnetic field that can trigger the metal detector to go off.
It’s natural to be concerned about this kind of prosthetic when walking through the security area of an airport, but you have little to worry about. Even if it does sound the alarm, a simple explanation can often cause many security officers to acknowledge the situation and allow you to go.
Dental implants are the most superior form of tooth replacement, so don’t let any potential fears of traveling via plane keep you from enjoying a happier, healthier smile for a lifetime.
About the Author
Dr. Craig R. Harder is a trusted Moses Lake dentist with more than 20 years of experience. By providing dental implants to those who are living with missing teeth, he can rebuild smiles from the roots up. When preparing a patient for these prosthetics, he will go over the details of living with dental implants, including how to travel more confidently with your new smile. If you want better peace of mind before hopping on an airplane to fly across the country for business, contact us at (509) 765-4351.