Do you have a summer vacation planned for this year? It is always an exciting time to look forward to, but many people find the hassle of going through airport security rather stressful. There is always that fear that you will be stopped and spend all day trying to get to your terminal. After all, you have a plane to catch and a prepaid vacation on the other side. When you have dental implants, you may feel extra anxious about going through the security checkpoint. You are going through a metal detector with titanium in your mouth, so what happens if you set off the metal detector? Read on to learn more about how metal detectors work and what you can expect when you are going through one when you have dental implants.
How Do Metal Detectors Work?
A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) metal detector works by creating a magnetic field around you in a series of pulses. They create a natural echo that the detector turns into a reading. If a metal object passes through the detector, the magnetic field of the detector produces a magnetic field in the object, therefore disrupting the echo and setting off the detector.
Do Metal Detectors Pick Up on Dental Implants?
Dental implants are made from titanium, which is not a magnetic metal, so they do not tend to set off metal detectors. However, other metals, like stainless steel, iron, nickel, and cobalt-chromium, would set off these detectors. You should be able to walk through the security line without any further issues.
It is important you are aware that the security regulations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security aren’t necessarily implemented worldwide. If you are traveling internationally, you should give yourself plenty of time to go through security. Depending on where you are, they could use different technology that is designed to pick up on the slightest amount of metal. However, you still shouldn’t worry. You won’t be the first person traveling with implants. If you set off a metal detector, just explain that you have dental implants. You might need to undergo a pat down, but you will be on your way to your planned destination soon enough.
Don’t stress over your upcoming trip because you have dental implants. Plenty of people travel all over the place after replacing their missing teeth, so you certainly won’t be the first. Chances are that you will be able to walk through security with no dental implant related complications.
About the Author
Dr. Danny Tran earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry where he graduated with high honors. Currently, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Gabriel Valley Dental Society, where he serves of the board. To learn more about dental implants or to schedule an appointment at his office in Covina, visit his website or call (626) 331-0688.