Can I do TMS if I have a metal dental implant?
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Sign in to commentGreat question, and you'll be glad to know this comes up all the time. Titanium dental implants are NOT a contraindication for TMS. You're correct that titanium is non-ferromagnetic, meaning it won't be affected by the magnetic field. The absolute contraindications are: - Ferromagnetic metal implants in or near the head (certain aneurysm clips, cochlear implants, metal plates from surgery) - Implanted stimulators (deep brain stimulators, vagus nerve stimulators) Dental implants, titanium plates, braces, and dental fillings are all safe. Your TMS provider will do a thorough screening at your consultation, but based on what you've described, you should be fine.
I had this exact worry! I have a titanium plate from a jaw surgery 10 years ago. My TMS doctor confirmed it was totally fine. I'm 20 sessions in with zero issues.
What about braces? My teenage daughter is being evaluated for TMS and she currently has metal braces.
Metal braces are also safe for TMS treatment. The magnetic field is very focused on the scalp/cortex area and standard orthodontic hardware doesn't pose any safety concerns. However, some patients with braces report a mild vibration sensation in their teeth during treatment — it's harmless but worth mentioning so she's not surprised.
Thank you Dr. Wong and Dr. Martinez — this is exactly the reassurance I needed. I'll bring this up at my consultation but I feel much less anxious about it now.