Most dental tools don’t affect pacemaker
Question: I’m a retired medical doctor and have an implanted pacemaker and defibrillator. I need major dental work (extractions, implants, crown and bridge work). Are there any precautions I should know about? - Dr. Bob in Tequesta
Answer: This reminds me of that episode of The Partridge Family where Laurie picks up radio stations with her braces. A recent study at the University of Kentucky tried to determine whether electromagnetic interference occurred during the use of nine different dental electronic devices. Of the nine, only two operatory devices inhibited heart-pacing activity: the ultrasonic scaler and the battery-operated composite (bonding) curing light.
However, the tests were not done with patients - only on the devices on a lab bench. Millions of patients have had extensive dental work without any problems with their implanted devices. Check with your own cardiologist and dentist. For more info on this subject or any other dental topic, contact our office at 239-936-5252.