Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Ferromagnetic Bare Metal Stent for Endothelial Cell Capture and Retention
Published on: September 18, 2015
Investigations into the failure of dental magnets
M A Riley1, A J Williams, J D Speight
1School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Rileyma@metnov1.bham.ac.uk
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms of failure of magnets used for denture retention.
Materials And Methods:
Magnets were retrieved from dentures that had failed after 4 to 18 months of clinical use. The magnets were sectioned and the failure modes were evaluated using optical or scanning electron microscopy.
Results:
The magnetic retention system investigated consists of a neodymium-iron-boron magnet sandwiched in a stainless steel keeper, capped with a titanium dome, and sealed with epoxy resin. The diffusion of moisture through the epoxy seal and the breakdown of the encapsulating material led to corrosion of the magnet. In both cases, a loss in retention occurred as the corrosion products weakened the overall magnetic attraction.
Conclusion:
The failure of magnets may occur by either breakdown of the epoxy seal or breakdown of the encapsulating material. Both problems need to be addressed to prolong the life span of these magnets.
More Related Videos
07:42Magnetic Levitation Coupled with Portable Imaging and Analysis for Disease Diagnostics
Published on: February 19, 2017
08:19Protocol for the Evaluation of MRI Artifacts Caused by Metal Implants to Assess the Suitability of Implants and the Vulnerability of Pulse Sequences
Published on: May 17, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Magnetism
An individual magnetic pole cannot be isolated. No matter how small, every piece of a magnet contains a north pole and a south...
Diamagnetism
Diamagnetism was discovered by Anton Brugmans in 1778 when he observed that bismuth gets repelled by magnetic fields, thus theorizing that diamagnets get repelled by magnets.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging