Asher had two upper molars pulled in February 3rd. His upper 6-year molars were tucked under them. We let them grow in a bit more and then he got a space maintainer put on today. He will wear this till he's 12 (about).

Back in January, radiology at PCH said it was no big deal....they have kids with dental appliances all the time....

But, a friend told me this:

"Most of these appliances have at least some stainless steel in them, and although they don't pose a problem in terms of being magnetic, there are still 2 issues: (1) some hospitals won't tolerate any stainless steel to go into the MRI at all, if they make you pass through a metal detector stainless steel will be detected, and (2) stainless steel causes artifacts that will obscure certain areas of the brain."

Interesting reading:
http://jorthod.maneyjournals.org/cgi/content/full/33/2/90

Now to figure out if I have to have the space maintainer taken off and put back on for each MRI....not sure what that will cost us, but at least we are on 6 month MRIs now. And, apparently the hospital radiology team has a website that has all sorts of appliances listed and how they affect the MRIs....so getting brand and other info to them next week....

4/8/10

Talked to the dentist and the lab team today. This is called a Nance Holding Arch Appliance (NHAA). It is made out of stainless steel and nickel and acrylic. Even if we had another appliance made, they can not make the bands out of titanium, only the wire. I've sent this information to radiology/oncology. The dentist will remove the appliance before the MRI (like a day or two) and then put it back on after the MRI (Monday in case of a Friday MRI) for no charge, if that is what we decide to do.