Evaluating the effects of different dental devices on implantable cardioverter defibrillators

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is an electronic device that emits electrical signals to the heart via lead wires and electrodes. It is used for cardiac rhythm monitoring and treatment. Because electronic dental devices have been shown to produce electromagnetic fields, we hypothesize that they may interfere with ICD function.

Nine dental devices (heat carrier, electronic apex locator, electric pulp tester, unipolar electrosurgery unit, electric motor, curing light, and 3 gutta-percha guns) were tested in this study for their ability to interfere with the function of 4 ICDs (2 single-chambered and 2 dual-chambered ICDs). ICD activity was monitored for 30 seconds using an ICD programmer (Medtronic 2090; Minneapolis, MN) and evaluated through an electrogram test strip printout.

Electromagnetic interference was detected with the electric motor, curing light, electric pulp tester, and electrosurgery unit although no electromagnetic disturbances were detected with these devices. No electromagnetic interferences were observed for the gutta-percha guns, heat carrier, and apex locator. However, the electrosurgery unit affected the dual-chambered ICD (Consulta CRT-D, Medtronic) and delivered therapies for fibrillation when no ventricular fibrillation was present.

Our results suggest that the electrosurgery unit produces electromagnetic disturbances with unwanted therapy delivery shock and potentially clinically significant outcomes.