Although dentures and dental bridges can replace some or all of your missing teeth, many experts consider dental implants to be the ideal solution for tooth loss. They’re the only option that is placed directly into your jawbone, which often provides strength and stability over the alternatives.
These restorations include a biocompatible titanium rod that eventually fuses with your jawbone to become a more permanent part of your mouth. But if you’re a frequent flyer, you might worry your new tooth will alert airport security. Continue reading to learn why you can set your concerns aside!
How Do Metal Detectors Work?
Before diving into the specifics of dental implants and airport security, it’s essential first to understand how their metal detectors work. It can vary somewhat by location and technology, but typically these machines work by generating a series of electrical pulses that create a magnetic field that echoes back to the scanner’s sensors. If a metal object passes through it, it disrupts the vibrations and produces eddy currents that trigger the alarm.
Will My Dental Implants Alert Airport Security?
You’re not alone if you’re worried that the titanium pole supporting your implant might become an inconvenience at the airport. If you’re avoiding this treatment because you frequently travel for work or pleasure and don’t want your teeth to interfere with your itinerary, you can thankfully set your mind at ease.
Fortunately, these teeth usually pass through airport metal detectors without causing any issues. Although the reason for this isn’t entirely understood, it’s believed that the following factors might play a part:
- The sensors aren’t looking for titanium. The titanium used for these restorations has very low magnetic properties that might not produce a strong enough echo to disrupt the scanner’s field.
- They are insulated. The support posts are embedded into your jaw and eventually fuse with the bone, which can keep them hidden from metal detectors.
- They are too small for detection. Only a small amount of material is needed to create a sturdy anchor for your implant, and it might not be enough to alert security.
What do I Do if My Implant Triggers Airport Security?
Your new teeth are unlikely to cause any issues while you’re passing through airport security. However, if they do alert a metal detector, you can let the TSA agent know about your dental implant if you’re pulled aside for additional scanning.
Once they can verify that’s the source of the trigger, they can safely send you on your way to your designated gate!
About the Practice
Patients at Warwick Dentistry benefit from a husband-and-wife dental team with 30+ years of experience. Drs. Joyce and John Warwick are both highly accomplished individually, and they collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to meet all your family’s needs conveniently under one roof. They also have completed in-depth training and are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to place and restore dental implants in the office. You can request an appointment on the website or call (412) 391-1130.