Dentist - does PM interact with their equipment

Good morning everyone :)

I went to the dentist yesterday and I disclosed my PM in my pre visit history sheet. The hygenist asked if my PM was shielded because they use this water jet thingy that has electro-magnetic field and they use it to break up the plaque etc on your teeth. I have no clue if my PM is shielded, I looked on line but Medtronic site is shitty for us PM users... anyhow, I have a Medtronic Senia SR Model SESR01 with 407458 leads. If anyone of you awesome forum readers could tell me your experiences or if you know how to find out if shielded (yeah I know, call the hospital but they never answer!!!)
Thanks in advance,
Je vous remercie!!
Mercie

8 Comments

me too

by bloc_de_branche - 2012-02-28 01:02:09

Same here, the old fashioned scrap and pick method lol...
Gald to hear I am not alone! Thanks cardio!

My hygienist uses it all the time!

by SaraTB - 2012-02-28 04:02:20

She checked with my doctor's office and was assured it was OK and I've had no issues over the 10 years I've had a PM - first Medtronic, current one Boston Scientific. She uses the ultra sonic thing first, then hand pick to finish. I'm pretty sure the wire has been across my shoulder too, with no issues either. I'm 100% paced.
The dentist said there's only one piece of equipment he wouldn't be happy using on me, but I don't recall what it was, and the need hasn't arisen.

safe then to use

by bloc_de_branche - 2012-02-28 05:02:09

thanks Sara TB, :)
thats awesome news ... bet my hygenist will be happy to...
have a good day!

EMF

by Sue H. - 2012-02-28 10:02:39

I email Medtronic for any questions I've had and they respond within 24 hours. You may want to try that.

This subject has come up before and if I remember correctly if they (dentist) keep the device at least 6 inches from pacer and don't drape the wire right over your pacer,you should be ok.

Try some searches on here on teeth cleaning....there should be some more info on the subject.

Sue

Teeth cleaning

by donr - 2012-02-28 10:02:58

I've always been told by dentists that they will NOT use the untrasonic gizmo to de-plaque teeth. For the same reason. Neither will they use the Radio Frequency scalpel when cutting or trimming gum tissue. Same reasons.

Personally - I prefer hand scraping. I think it gets teeth cleaner. Last tech I talked w/ agreed w/ me. Said the main reason for the ultrasound thingy was for speed.

Personally, I doubt that the devices would affect our PM's, but they have a liability issue that they cannot avoid.

Don

great info! thanks

by bloc_de_branche - 2012-02-28 11:02:27

Awesome comments, thanks donr and magster. I have never emailed Medtronic but would like to. Assuming their contact info is on the site. :)

I will do a search on here and see what comes up as well.

Thanks again,
Bonne Journée!
Merci

Just came from the dentist - same question to me too.

by cardio - 2012-02-28 12:02:39

Bonjour Bonne,
Our Dentist noted my pacemaker and asked about the settings but just elected to not use the dental device as it could interfer with the pacemaker.
My teeth were cleaned manually - no problem.

1st

by Beckes76 - 2012-03-02 05:03:09

I have had a PM since 1984 and my current dentist is the only dentist that has ever asked if I had a PM on the pre-visit info sheet. I was shocked by that. He explained that certain tools he will not use on patients that have PMs at all. They highlight that info in the sheet so everybody that does anything with me knows about it and I don't feel like I am in jeopardy of anything. It made my day. My current dentist doesn't do my insurance plan but I trust him with everything that I don't want to change just so I can be covered fully.

Becky

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