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Will Braces Affect My MRI Scan?

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Many patients worry that their braces will cause issues with their MRI scan. This article provides straightforward answers to the most common questions regarding orthodontic braces and interactions with the MRI scan machine.

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Do Braces Affect MRI Scans?

Yes, braces can affect MRI scans. The good news is that most orthodontic braces are considered safe during MRI scans. However, in some cases, braces can affect the quality of images, especially if you’re getting a head, face, or jaw MRI scan. Most are made of stainless steel, titanium, ceramic brackets, and nickel-titanium wires. Most of these materials are non-ferromagnetic or weakly magnetic, which means they won’t get pulled by the powerful MRI magnet.

  • Braces usually do not move
  • They do not become dangerous projectiles
  • Orthodontists almost never need to remove them before MRI scans

MRI safety guidelines from the American College of Radiology state that most dental hardware is MRI conditional or safe for routine scanning.

One important caveat is that brackets and any removable parts of magnetic dental devices should be removed before the MRI scan begins.

Why Braces Affect MRI Scans

The real issue with braces in MRI is that they can create image artifacts in your MRI scan.

An MRI artifact is a distortion in the image caused by the metal interacting with the magnetic field. In the reconstructed images, this can look like dark streaks, signal voids, starburst patterns, or warped image geometry.

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Magnetic susceptibility artifact occurs when materials like metal, air, or bone distort the local magnetic field, causing signal loss, stretching, or dark areas in the MRI image. 

These image distortions occur because metal slightly alters the local magnetic field, which interferes with the MRI signal timing and frequencies.

Which MRI Scan Do Braces Affect Most?

Braces mostly affect MRI scans of areas near the mouth, such as a jaw, TMJ, Sinus, Orbital, or brain MRI exam.

Braces usually do not affect spine, knee, shoulder, abdominal, or lower extremity scans. As a good rule of thumb, the farther the body part is from your braces, the less artifact occurs.

Braces in MRI FAQ

Will my braces get pulled in the MRI scanner?

No, your braces will not get pulled out in an MRI.

Are braces MRI safe?

Braces are generally safe for MRI scans. Most modern braces are made from non-ferromagnetic materials so they don’t move or get pulled by the MRI. The main issue is image distortion.

Do I need to remove braces before an MRI scan?

You do not need to remove braces before MRI scans.

Key Takeaways

If your braces interfere with your MRI scan, your MRI technologist may need to adjust imaging angles, use metal artifact reduction sequences, change frequency encoding direction, or use a specialized pulse sequence. In many cases, doctors can still obtain the information they need even with braces present.

In very rare cases, orthodontists may temporarily remove braces if the MRI specifically targets the jaw or teeth, the braces severely interfere with image quality, and the MRI scan is critical for a diagnosis, but this situation is uncommon.

I hope this was a helpful article. If you want to learn more about MRI, check out some of the related resources listed below.

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Larry Lopez

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Larry Lopez

Larry is a biomedical imaging specialist with more than 16 years of professional experience in MRI, CT, and PET system installation, calibration, quality assurance, and advanced troubleshooting. As the founder, digital creator, and lead author of MRIPETCTSOURCE, he produces educational content designed to elevate the skills of technologists, engineers, and imaging center operators. Larry also serves as the chief technical advisor and lead web developer for MedicalImagingSource.com, where he oversees the accuracy, technical depth, and clinical relevance of all published resources. His work integrates field expertise with clear, evidence-based explanations to support both professionals and patients. Connect with Larry on social media: LinkedIn | YouTube | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook

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