Do airport scanners detect titanium implants?

The majority of metal detectors used by the TSA work by creating an electromagnetic field, which sets off an alarm when it detects any nearby magnetic metals. In most cases, modern dental implants are primarily made from titanium, a non-magnetic metal. So, titanium dental implants should rarely trigger metal detectors.



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Airport metal detectors are sensitive to metals, including orthopedic metal implants inside your body. The most commonly implanted orthopedic materials include stainless steel, cobalt chrome, and titanium.

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WILL MY JOINT REPLACEMENT SET OFF THE METAL DETECTOR? “Probably. A survey of hip replacement patients revealed that 8 out of 10 of them triggered the metal detector,” says McLeod Orthopedic Specialist Dr. Rodney Alan.

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Inform the TSA officer that you have an artificial knee, hip, other metal implant or a pacemaker, defibrillator or other internal medical device. You should not be screened by a walk-through metal detector if you have an internal medical device such as a pacemaker. Consult with your physician prior to flying.

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Belt buckles, key chains and smartphones may set off sensitive metal detectors at airport security checkpoints. Many commonly used orthopedic implants may also set off the metal detectors. Over 90% of implanted total hip and knee arthroplasty devices will set off airport metal detectors.

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Airport metal detectors are quite sensitive to metals, this includes metal implants that may have been placed inside your body. Belt buckles, key chains, and steel-toed shoes may set off these sensitive metal detectors. Many commonly used orthopedic implants may also set off the metal detectors.

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If you have a hip replacement, knee replacement, a metal plate and screws, a metal rod inside your bone, or one of many other types of orthopedic implants, you may set off the airport metal detector.

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The groin area between the abdomen and thigh contains several lymph nodes, blood vessels, and muscles. Airport body scanners often target the groin area because it contains sensitive areas that could be mistaken for weapons or explosives.

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Other things that accidentally set off body scanners are body piercings and wire supports in undergarments. External tumors might also trigger the machine, but growths inside—such as fibroids—will not. “Perspiration is probably the weirdest thing that can set off the scanners,” Malvini Redden says.

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The breast implants will not be visible to the TSA agent. Breast prosthesis, however, will be detected during a full-body scanner. Travelers with breast prosthesis should inform the TSA agent about their prothesis before proceeding into the scanner; they may go through additional security screening.

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Even if the piercing is visible, they might not catch it, and being open about your jewelry will make the process go faster. If your jewelry is in an area that you're comfortable showing, like your face or ears, then you'll most likely just need to show your jewelry to the TSA agent, and that will be enough for them.

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