Does an MRI affect tooth-fillings? What about people with metal pins, plates, etc.?
No problems with my MRI re: fillings. Can’t speak to the other items.
Fillings - no. The filling material is non-ferrous. No idea on the other stuff, although I would imagine that at least some of the time the metal used is aluminum.
It’s my understanding that MRIs can cause ferrous metals to heat up, and that this can cause damage with certain knee and hip prostheses (including potential damage to surrounding tissue). I believe MRI technicians are supposed to screen MRI examinees for metal implants. I am also given to understand that they maintain a list of which implant models are and are not MRI-compatible.
Something also to consider:
If you’ve recently done any kind of metal work (welding, grinding, torching etc.) you may have tiny ferrous metal particles in your eyes!
A deaf friend of mine has a chochlear implant which is implanted in her head and helps her to hear. She mentioned once that she has one of those Medic Alert Necklace things that warns medics NOT to give her an MRI lest the magnets pull it out of her head.
More info: Look here for info about clinical trials of an MRI machine. It says that people with pacemakers, cochlear implants, and insulin pumps are ineligible. Nothing about dental fillings.