THE SAFETY EF DENTAL MINI-MAGNETS IN PATIENTS WITH PERMANENT CARDIAC-PACEMAKERS

To evaluate the safety of prosthetic mini-magnets, 12 patients treated with implanted cardiac pacemakers were examined. Small cylindric magn ets were applied one, two, and three at a time to constant points on t he pacemaker under electrocardiographic monitoring. No influence on th e pacemaker was detected in nine of the patients, but limited changes were encountered in three patients. However, the changes disappeared w hen the magnets were moved 1 cm away. The conclusion was that the use of mini-magnets in dental care in patients with implanted pacemakers i s safe and acceptable.