The safety of 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 magnets were applied one, two, and three at a time to constant points on the pacemaker under electrocardiographic monitoring. No influence on the pacemaker was detected in nine of the patients, but limited changes were encountered in three patients. However, the changes disappeared when the magnets were moved 1 cm away. The conclusion was that the use of mini-magnets in dental care in patients with implanted pacemakers is safe and acceptable.