Is a plate necessary? Will I set off metal detectors?

Plate is not always necessary but the use of the plate has provided us with two distinct advantages.

Using a plate increases the fusion rate by a few percentage points by holding the bony graft in place and not allowing it to come out.
The plate serves as an internal brace so that the patient does not need a collar after the surgery, A collar can lead to weak neck muscles from not moving the neck and could set up for future neck injuries.