Can you get an MRI with braces? In most cases, yes — orthodontic braces are generally considered MRI-safe because the brackets, archwires, and bands are made from materials like stainless steel, titanium, nickel-titanium, or ceramic that do not pose a significant projectile risk inside the magnet. However, safety and image quality are two different questions, and patients, parents, and clinicians often confuse them. The metal in fixed orthodontic appliances rarely causes injury, but it can dramatically degrade images of the head, brain, sinuses, and cervical spine.

Modern MRI scanners operate at field strengths of 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla, with some research magnets reaching 7T. At these strengths, the static magnetic field exerts measurable forces on ferromagnetic materials. Most contemporary braces use low-ferromagnetic alloys specifically because manufacturers know patients will eventually need imaging. Studies published in journals like the American Journal of Orthodontics consistently show negligible heating, displacement, or torque on properly bonded brackets, making same-day scanning a realistic option for the majority of patients with appliances.

That said, the practical reality of imaging a patient with braces is more nuanced than a simple yes-or-no answer. Radiologists worry less about safety and more about whether the scan will actually answer the clinical question. A brain MRI ordered to evaluate headaches can be rendered diagnostically useless by susceptibility artifact from a single misaligned bracket, while a knee MRI on the same patient remains pristine. Understanding when braces help, when they hinder, and when removal is genuinely required can save weeks of delays and hundreds of dollars in repeat scans.

This guide explains everything patients, parents, and referring providers need to know before booking an MRI with fixed orthodontic appliances. We cover the physics behind metal artifacts, the difference between brackets and retainers, the role of MARS protocols, and the specific anatomy where braces will most likely interfere. We also address common myths — including whether braces can be "pulled out" by the magnet, whether they get dangerously hot, and whether removable retainers must come out before scanning. The short answer: most scans proceed safely, but preparation matters.

If you have an upcoming scan and want to understand the technology before you step into the bore, our overview of how MRI works explains the underlying physics in plain language. That background makes the rest of this article easier to follow because metal artifacts are a direct consequence of how protons behave near localized magnetic field disturbances. Knowing that, you can have a much more productive conversation with your orthodontist, your ordering physician, and the MRI technologist who will actually run the scan.

Throughout this article we use the term "braces" to mean fixed orthodontic appliances bonded to teeth — brackets cemented to enamel, archwires, ligature ties, and orthodontic bands around molars. We treat removable appliances like clear aligners, Hawley retainers, and Essix trays separately because they follow different rules. Permanent lingual retainers, which are bonded wires behind the front teeth and often remain in place for years, also have their own considerations that we address in detail later in the guide.

Image quality is where braces actually cause problems. The brackets, wires, and bands create localized distortions in the magnetic field — a phenomenon called magnetic susceptibility artifact. Even non-ferromagnetic metals like titanium disturb the uniform field that MRI requires to encode spatial information accurately. The result is signal voids, geometric distortion, and bright or dark blooming that can extend several centimeters beyond the actual metal. For a brain scan, this means the frontal lobes, sinuses, and orbits may be partially obscured.

The severity of artifact depends on three main variables: the volume and type of metal, the pulse sequence used, and the proximity of the metal to the anatomy being imaged. Stainless steel brackets produce more artifact than titanium, which produces more artifact than ceramic. Gradient echo sequences are extremely sensitive to susceptibility and may be unusable, while fast spin echo sequences are far more forgiving. A scan of the lumbar spine is typically unaffected because the braces are 40 to 50 centimeters away from the imaging volume.

Radiologists categorize the impact of artifact by clinical question rather than absolute image degradation. A patient with mild headaches getting a screening brain MRI might tolerate moderate artifact, but a patient being evaluated for a possible pituitary tumor needs pristine images of the sella turcica — and brackets several centimeters away can compromise that region. This is why ordering providers should specify the clinical question on the requisition, allowing the radiology team to plan appropriate sequences or recommend bracket removal when truly necessary.

Pediatric and adolescent patients face this trade-off most often because they are the demographic most likely to have braces and most likely to need head MRI for concussions, seizures, or migraines. Modern protocols, including the MARS (Metal Artifact Reduction Sequences) approach widely used in orthopedic imaging, can be adapted for dental hardware. Techniques like view angle tilting, increased bandwidth, and slice encoding for metal artifact correction (SEMAC) reduce but rarely eliminate the distortion caused by a full set of brackets and archwires.

It is worth noting that artifact is not always a deal-breaker. A radiologist reading a brain MRI on a patient with braces will simply annotate the report with phrases like "artifact from orthodontic hardware obscures evaluation of the inferior frontal lobes." If the suspected pathology is in the cerebellum, deep white matter, or posterior fossa, the scan is fully diagnostic. Communication between the radiologist and the ordering clinician determines whether the partial study is sufficient or whether the patient should return after braces are removed or completed.

For anyone weighing whether to proceed with a scan or wait, understanding the difference between MRI and CT scan is helpful. CT uses X-rays and is less affected by small metallic dental appliances in terms of safety, but produces its own beam-hardening artifacts. Each modality has trade-offs, and the choice depends on what tissue your physician needs to evaluate. Soft tissue contrast strongly favors MRI; bone detail and acute hemorrhage favor CT.

When you arrive for your MRI, the technologist will walk you through a safety screening form. This is the most important moment to mention your braces, even if you assume the scheduler already noted it. Include details about when the braces were placed, whether you have any expansion appliances, and whether you have a permanent lingual retainer behind your front teeth. The technologist needs this information to choose appropriate pulse sequences and to set expectations with the interpreting radiologist about likely artifact patterns.

Be specific. Saying "I have braces" is helpful, but saying "I have full upper and lower stainless steel brackets, a transpalatal arch, and a bonded lower retainer" is far more useful. The technologist may consult the safety officer or the radiologist if you have any unusual hardware, especially temporary anchorage devices (TADs) — small screws placed in the jaw bone to anchor tooth movement. TADs are generally MRI-safe at 1.5T and 3T but should be documented in your screening paperwork.

Ask about which body part is being scanned and whether artifact is anticipated. If you are getting a knee, shoulder, or abdominal MRI, the answer is straightforward — braces will have no effect. If you are getting a brain MRI for migraines or a sinus MRI for chronic infections, the technologist may explain that some regions will be obscured. This is a good moment to ask whether your ordering physician was informed of the limitations and whether they still want to proceed.

During the scan itself, the technologist will give you a squeeze ball or call button. Use it without hesitation if you feel any unusual sensation in your mouth — sharp warmth, pulling, or pain. These symptoms are rare with braces but should always be reported because they can indicate either improperly bonded hardware or, very rarely, a piece of metal that was not disclosed. The technologist can pause the scan, check on you, and adjust sequences or terminate the study if needed.

Communication after the scan matters too. If artifact significantly limited the study, the radiologist will document this in the report, and your ordering provider may recommend either a repeat MRI after orthodontic treatment, a CT scan as an alternative, or a contrast-enhanced study to compensate. Patients sometimes need to follow up with both the orthodontist and the neurologist to coordinate timing. Our guide on MRI with or without contrast explains when adding gadolinium can salvage diagnostic value despite hardware artifacts.

One final note about cost and insurance: most insurers cover repeat MRIs if the first study was non-diagnostic due to documented hardware artifact, but you may need pre-authorization. Keep copies of all imaging reports and orthodontic notes. If your physician orders a second scan after debonding, the orthodontist's documentation showing that braces have been removed is sometimes required by insurance carriers before approving the repeat study.

After your MRI, your braces should feel exactly the same as before the scan. There is no recovery period, no precautions to follow, and no need to see your orthodontist for a check unless something feels off. Patients occasionally report tasting metal or feeling brief tingling during the scan — both are benign and resolve as soon as you leave the magnet. If you notice a loose bracket or wire afterward, it is almost certainly coincidental and unrelated to the magnetic field, but your orthodontist can confirm during a quick visit.

The radiology report is usually available to your ordering physician within 24 to 48 hours. Ask for a copy for your records. Note any language about artifact from "dental hardware," "orthodontic appliances," or "susceptibility from metallic prostheses." These phrases tell you that the radiologist acknowledged the braces and worked around them. If the report concludes with limited evaluation of a specific structure, ask your physician whether the clinical question was answered or whether further imaging is warranted.

For patients who undergo MRI surveillance — for example, monitoring multiple sclerosis lesions or post-treatment tumor follow-up — discuss the long-term plan with your neurologist before completing orthodontic treatment. In some cases, scheduling the debonding to align with an annual scan provides the best baseline images. In other cases, the surveillance schedule is flexible and can wait until braces come off naturally. There is no one-size-fits-all answer; it depends on the urgency and the specific anatomy being followed.

If you ever face the question of whether an MRI is appropriate during active orthodontic treatment, remember that the choice is rarely binary. Most institutions can perform a limited but useful study with braces in place, and that information often guides early treatment decisions even if a more detailed scan is needed later. Delaying important imaging by a year or more just to avoid artifact is rarely the right call, especially for symptoms that warrant prompt evaluation. Our overview of MRI MARS protocol explains how technologists optimize sequences specifically for patients with retained metal.

Children and teenagers with braces who need imaging for sports injuries, headaches, or learning evaluations benefit from facilities experienced with pediatric protocols. Ask whether the imaging center has dedicated pediatric MRI techs and child-friendly bores. Younger patients often tolerate scans better when the staff is familiar with both the medical questions and the practical reality of working around fixed orthodontic appliances. A 25-minute brain MRI feels much longer to a nervous 12-year-old wearing braces who has never been in a scanner.

Finally, do not be discouraged if a first scan is incomplete. Modern radiology departments are accustomed to imaging patients with all kinds of hardware, including pacemakers, spine fusion rods, dental implants, and orthodontic appliances. Your team will weigh the diagnostic yield, the urgency of the clinical question, and the practical realities of your treatment timeline. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the answer to whether you can get an MRI with braces remains a confident yes — with thoughtful planning and clear communication.

Practical preparation makes the difference between a smooth MRI experience and a frustrating one. Schedule your scan at a facility that handles patients with hardware routinely — major hospitals and academic centers generally have more experience than small outpatient clinics. Call ahead and confirm that the technologist on duty is comfortable scanning patients with braces. If you are getting a head or neck MRI specifically, ask whether the facility uses high-bandwidth or MARS-style sequences that mitigate susceptibility artifact. A simple question up front can save a repeat trip.

Eat lightly before the scan and avoid chewing gum or eating sticky foods that day. Food particles caught in brackets are uncomfortable for an hour-long study, and you cannot fix anything once you are inside the bore. Brush thoroughly before leaving the house, and bring a travel toothbrush in case of last-minute snacks. If you wear elastics, remove them before arrival and place them in a small container. Many facilities provide locker space for personal items, but having a dedicated case prevents loss.

Dress for comfort. MRI scans require you to lie still for 20 to 60 minutes, and patients with braces sometimes feel more aware of their mouths during long studies. Wear clothing without metal — no zippers, snaps, or underwire. The facility will likely provide a gown, but loose, soft clothes underneath make the wait easier. If you have anxiety about confined spaces, ask about ear protection options, mirrors, or projected images that some scanners offer to reduce claustrophobia during head imaging.

Stay hydrated, especially if your scan includes contrast. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are processed by the kidneys, and adequate hydration before and after the study helps clearance. Patients with braces sometimes hesitate to drink lots of water before a scan because they worry about bathroom breaks during a long study. Talk to the technologist — most studies can pause briefly if needed, and going into a 45-minute scan dehydrated makes the IV placement harder and the post-scan recovery slower.

Bring a support person if you anticipate anxiety. Most MRI facilities allow a parent, spouse, or friend in the room during the scan as long as they pass the same safety screening. For pediatric patients with braces, having a parent visible through the control room window or seated nearby in the scan room dramatically reduces movement artifact from anxiety. Movement during a head MRI ruins images just as effectively as metal artifact, and the two combined can render an entire study non-diagnostic.

Finally, follow up. After receiving your radiology report, schedule a brief call or visit with your ordering physician to discuss results. If artifact limited evaluation of a clinically important structure, ask explicitly whether the question can be answered with the current images or whether next steps are needed. Document everything in your personal health record: scan date, facility, sequences used, artifact notes, and final impression. This becomes invaluable if you need future imaging — your next radiologist will appreciate knowing exactly what worked and what did not in a previous study with braces.

The bottom line: getting an MRI with braces is routine, safe, and usually successful. With clear communication, thoughtful scheduling, and reasonable expectations about image quality in specific anatomic regions, patients can get the diagnostic information they need without disrupting orthodontic treatment. Talk to your orthodontist, your ordering physician, and the MRI facility well before your appointment, and you will likely walk out the same day with a useful study and brackets fully intact.