Magnets in dentistry

• Main Authors: Vidya S Bhat, K Kamalakanth Shenoy, Priyanka Premkumar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Subjects: Rare earth magnets; Permanent magnets; Alnico; Platinum-Cobalt; Chromium-Cobalt-Iron; Cobalt- Samarium and Neodymium- Iron-Boron; maxillofacial prosthesis; overdentures and orthodontics
• Online Access: http://www.amhsjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2321-4848;year=2013;volume=1;issue=1;spage=73;epage=79;aulast=Bhat

Magnets have generated great interest within dentistry. They have been used for various applications in orthodontics and prosthodontics. Earlier use of magnets was limited due to the unavailability of small size magnets, but after the introduction of rare earth magnets and their availability in smaller sizes, their use has increased considerably. They can be placed within prostheses without being obtrusive in the mouth. Their main use in orthodontics has been for tooth movement and in prosthodontics has been in maxillofacial prosthesis and in overdentures as retentive aids. This article reviews the types of magnets available and their application in maxillofacial prosthesis and overdentures, followed by other advantages and disadvantages.