Can You Have an MRI with Braces? Safety and Image Quality

In most cases, you can have an MRI while wearing braces. A fixed orthodontic appliance is not always a contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging. However, metal components may create artefacts—distortions, dark areas, or signal loss on the images—particularly during examinations of the brain, face, jaws, paranasal sinuses, and neck.

The possibility of performing the MRI is assessed individually. The material of the brackets and archwire, the area being examined, the purpose of the scan, and the requirements of the specific imaging protocol are all taken into account. When booking your appointment, always inform the medical centre that you have braces.

Is It Safe to Have an MRI with Braces?

Magnetic resonance imaging uses a magnetic field and radio waves and does not involve ionising radiation. Most modern orthodontic appliances are securely attached to the teeth and do not automatically prevent a patient from undergoing an MRI scan.

However, the metal composition varies between orthodontic systems. Before the procedure, the MRI staff will usually ask:

• which type of braces you have;
• what materials the brackets and orthodontic archwire are made from;
• whether you have a fixed retainer, palatal expander, or another orthodontic appliance;
• which anatomical area needs to be examined;
• whether you have previously undergone MRI with the same orthodontic system.

If you experience unusual warmth, pressure, pain, or any other discomfort during the scan, immediately inform the radiographer using the communication system inside the scanner.

How Do Braces Affect MRI Results?

The main difficulty associated with MRI and braces is the appearance of metal artefacts. These may appear as dark areas, distorted contours, or signal loss close to the metal appliance.

The closer the area being examined is to the mouth, the greater the likelihood that braces may reduce image quality. Their effect also depends on the material of the orthodontic system, the strength of the MRI scanner, the selected imaging sequences, and the scan settings.

Which Types of Braces Create More Artefacts?

• Stainless-steel metal braces may cause the most pronounced image distortion, particularly around the face and skull base.
• Titanium braces generally produce fewer artefacts, although their effect must still be assessed individually.
• Ceramic and plastic braces usually have less effect on MRI images, although the system may still contain a metal archwire or metal slots.
• Fixed retainers generally create local artefacts close to the teeth, but their effect depends on the material and the area being scanned.

Which MRI Examinations Can Be Performed with Braces?

In many cases, braces have little or no effect on examinations of body areas located far from the head and neck.

MRI area	Possible effect of braces
Knee, hip, shoulder, or ankle joint	Usually do not affect image quality
Lumbar and thoracic spine	Generally do not cause significant interference
Abdominal and pelvic organs	Usually do not affect the area being examined
Cervical spine and soft tissues of the neck	Artefacts may occur, depending on the orthodontic appliance
Brain	The scan is often possible, but some areas may be visualised less clearly
Orbits, pituitary gland, paranasal sinuses, face, and jaws	The risk of clinically significant artefacts is higher
Temporomandibular joints	Braces may significantly affect image quality

The final decision depends on the area being scanned and the type of orthodontic appliance.

Can You Have a Brain MRI with Braces?

A brain MRI can often be performed while the patient is wearing braces. However, metal components may reduce the quality of images of structures located close to the mouth and skull base.

Artefacts may particularly affect the assessment of:

• the frontal lobes of the brain;
• the orbits and optic nerves;
• the pituitary gland and sella turcica;
• the paranasal sinuses;
• the lower parts of the brain;
• the structures of the face and jaws.

If the doctor needs to assess one of these areas, the MRI staff may recommend discussing temporary removal of the archwire or certain metal components with your orthodontist. You must not remove or damage any part of the braces yourself.

More information about this examination is available on the Brain MRI in Kyiv page.

Do Braces Need to Be Removed Before an MRI?

Complete removal of the braces before every MRI examination is usually unnecessary. The decision depends on the area being examined and whether the resulting artefacts obscure the anatomical structures that need to be assessed.

Possible options include:

• performing the MRI without changing the orthodontic system;
• temporary removal of the metal archwire by an orthodontist;
• removal of a removable retainer, aligner, or orthodontic plate;
• using special scan settings to reduce metal artefacts;
• selecting another diagnostic method if the required area cannot be visualised clearly enough.

If the archwire needs to be removed temporarily, this must be done by an orthodontist. After the MRI, the orthodontist can reinstall it and continue the planned treatment.

Should Aligners and Removable Retainers Be Removed?

Removable aligners, mouthguards, orthodontic plates, and removable retainers should be taken out before entering the MRI room. Even if they are mainly made of plastic, they may contain metal components or interfere with correct positioning during the examination.

A fixed retainer attached to the inner surface of the teeth should not be removed independently. Inform the MRI staff that it is present.

How to Prepare for an MRI If You Have Braces

• Tell the administrator that you have braces when booking the appointment.
• Ask your orthodontist what materials the brackets and archwire are made from if you do not already know.
• Bring any available document or card containing information about the orthodontic system.
• Inform the staff about retainers, dental implants, crowns, dentures, and other dental appliances.
• Remove aligners, mouthguards, and other removable orthodontic devices.
• Do not remove the archwire or brackets yourself.
• Bring your medical referral so that the radiologist understands which structures need to be assessed.

No special diet is required because of the braces. Other preparation requirements depend on the area being examined and whether a contrast agent will be used.

MRI with Braces in Kyiv near Shuliavska

At HBMedical Medical Centre, patients can undergo MRI examinations in Kyiv using a 1.5 Tesla Siemens Magnetom Sempra scanner. Before the scan, the medical staff conduct a safety questionnaire and ask about any metal or orthodontic appliances.

The medical centre is located at 3 Oleksandra Dovzhenka Street, Kyiv, near Shuliavska metro station.

When booking your examination, tell the administrator:

• that you have braces;
• which part of the body needs to be examined;
• whether you know the material of the brackets and archwire;
• whether you have a referral or previous examination results.

Available examinations can be viewed on the MRI in Kyiv page.

Book an MRI at HBMedical to confirm in advance whether the required examination can be performed with your orthodontic appliance in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are braces attracted by the MRI magnet?

Modern braces are usually securely bonded to the teeth. However, orthodontic systems are made from different materials, so patients must undergo the standard MRI safety screening and inform the staff about their braces before the procedure.

Can braces become hot during an MRI?

Significant heating is uncommon, but the risk depends on the material and design of the orthodontic appliance. If you feel warmth, pain, or discomfort during the examination, immediately inform the radiographer.

Can you have a spine MRI with braces?

Yes. In most cases, MRI of the thoracic or lumbar spine can be performed while wearing braces. During a cervical spine MRI, artefacts may have a greater effect on image quality, so each case is assessed individually.

Do braces affect an MRI of the knee or pelvis?

Usually not, because the orthodontic appliance is located far from the area being examined.

Is contrast required because the patient has braces?

Braces alone are not an indication for contrast administration. Contrast enhancement is used only when required by the purpose and protocol of the particular examination.

Who decides whether the archwire should be removed?

The need for temporary archwire removal is determined by the radiologist and the doctor who referred the patient for the examination. Orthodontic components must be removed and reinstalled by an orthodontist.

This material is provided for informational purposes and does not replace consultation with a doctor, radiologist, or orthodontist.