Dental treatment in patients with cardiac pacemakers: Is it a risky affair?

Cardiac pacemakers are the implanted devices used to treat patients with damaged heart muscles. These electronic devices are sensitive to strong electromagnetic signals. The dental literature also included articles regarding electromagnetic interferences to pacemakers, due to dental devices such as ultrasonic scalers, electrosurgical unit, ultrasonic bath cleaners, and battery driven light cure composite unit. Although pacemakers of new generation have more protective features than those of past, but still precautionary measures should be taken in dental clinics for the safety of cardiac patients with pacemaker. The aim of this paper is to identify the possible sources from dental clinics which can adversely interfere with the pacemaker activity and to provide some guidelines for safe dental practice in this high-risk group.