Tooth loss detracts from your quality of life in several ways. Not only might you feel self-conscious about the changes in your appearance, but you could also experience changes in your diet and ability to speak clearly.
Your dentist can rebuild your smile with dental implants, but many patients who travel frequently wonder whether these restorations might get in the way. If you spend a lot of time at the airport, it’s normal to wonder whether the metal rods of your new teeth will trigger the security detectors. Continue reading to learn why you can set your concerns aside!
How Do Metal Detectors Work?
Before explaining why dental implants aren’t likely to trigger the metal detectors at the airport, it’s important to understand how they work. These devices create an electromagnetic field that emits in pulses. Metallic objects interrupt this field and create an echo that sets off the alarm.
If you’ve ever wondered why security personnel ask you to remove all your jewelry, belts, and other accessories to be scanned before heading to your gate, this is the reason! It’s only natural to worry that if you get dental implants, they’ll have a similar effect, but fortunately, that’s not usually the case.
What Metal is Used for Dental Implants?
Unlike dentures and dental bridges, being fitted with these prosthetics involves surgically placing titanium rods directly into your jawbone. This material is ideal because it’s bio-compatible, meaning your body won’t reject it. Not only that, but it’s also exceptionally lightweight and incredibly durable, so it’s not heavy in your mouth but can withstand the pressure of biting and chewing.
It can take three to six months to recover from this procedure because that’s how long it takes your mouth to generate enough new bone growth to fuse with the material in a process called osseointegration.
Will Dental Implants Trigger Metal Detectors?
If you travel often and are frequently in and out of airports, you might wonder whether you’ll get stopped at security every time due to your dental implants. While this might happen occasionally, this is the exception rather than the rule for a few reasons.
Firstly, the electromagnetic field created by metal detectors doesn’t always resonate with titanium, meaning it doesn’t trigger an echo. Furthermore, the pole of your prosthetic isn’t very big and is surrounded by your dense jawbone, making it harder to detect.
Thankfully, your implants aren’t likely to keep you from your on-the-go lifestyle!
About the Practice
At Lyndon Family Dental, you benefit from two dentists with 10+ years of combined experience helping patients build happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Marley Rinoldo and Dr. Simone Reid collaborate to provide a wide variety of services to meet all your needs conveniently under one roof, including dental implants. They partner with the best local surgeons to ensure accurate placement, then help provide lifelike restorations to rebuild your smile seamlessly. Their relaxed, attentive approach is sure to put you at ease, and they’re equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide accurate, long-lasting results. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (315) 449-0711.