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Did The Ultrasonic Scaler Damage Her Veneers?

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I have six porcelain veneers. In that time, I’ve had two cleanings. Each time, within a couple of days of the cleaning, I ended up with a veneer fractured. I asked what they’re using during my checkups and they told me it was a  magnetostrictive ultrasonic cleaner. Is this a common problem with these cleaners?

Dana

Dear Dana,

porcelain veneer being held up near a tooth

 

There are two different types of scalers  used in dental work. The first is a piezoelectric, and the second is magnetostrictive. The magnetostrictive scaler has been around for decades. While it is more gentle than the piezoelectric scaler, it is very dependant on the technique of the hygienist using it. Without proper technique it can cause more damage than the other scaler.

You said your porcelain veneers were fractured. For that to happen, your hygienist would have had to used the tip of the scaler on the surface of your porcelain veneers. That is completely unacceptable. That is a basic understanding. I do not believe that you should stay with this dental practice.

When you have cosmetic work done not only does it need to be created and placed by an expert cosmetic dentist, but the upkeep needs to be done by a practice that understands how to do it safely. My suggestion is that you ask them to replace the damaged veneers and then find a dentist who has trained their staff on how to care for your cosmetic work.

Two other things that can damage your veneers are acidulated fluoride as well as a power prophy jet. Never let a hygienist use them on any dental work. Not just veneers, but dental crowns too. They will take the glaze right off your dental work and they will look matte and pick up stains very easily.

I’m sorry this happened to you, but i think a skilled cosmetic dentist can fix everything.

This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Marion.

Porcelain Crowns Turning Yellow

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I had six porcelain crowns done for a smile makeover. They looked beautiful when I first got them. It’s been a little over six months and now they are starting to pick up stains. I don’t drink or smoke but do drink one cup of coffee every morning. I do brush twice a day and floss. Do you know what is going on? Is this normal? I really liked them when I first got them. Will teeth whitening get them back the way they were?

Maxwell

Dear Maxwell,

woman covering her mouth

No, this is not normal. Porcelain is very stain resistant. In fact, your porcelain crowns should be more stain resistant than your natural teeth. Something has happened to these. Nothing you described would be consistent with causing damage to your porcelain veneers. Either your dentist did not give you actual porcelain crowns or something did damage them.

You mentioned that it has been a little over six months since you had your porcelain crowns placed. This would be right about the time you might go in for a dental checkup and cleaning. It is possible that the hygienist used something known as a Power Prophy Jet or acidulated fluoride during your cleaning. The acidulated fluoride will cause damage to the glazing of the porcelain veneers, which is what protects the crowns from picking up stains. The Prophy Jet will remove the glazing altogether.

Either not using porcelain or one of the two dental procedures I mentioned could have caused the damage you are describing. Finding out what happened is going to require you getting a second opinion. I suggest that you get a second opinion from an expert cosmetic dentist. When you do, however, I want you to be sure not to tell him who your dentist is. Just go and explain that you have only had these porcelain crowns for just over six months and see if he or she can tell you why they are picking up stains. If the dentist asks who did the work before giving his or her diagnosis tell them that you are looking for an unbiased opinion and don’t want to give the name of the practitioner. They should understand that.

Unfortunately, teeth whitening will not give them back their color. Bleaching only works on natural tooth structure. The crowns will need to be replaced. That is why it is important that you figure out why this happened. If the dentist is at fault, he or she should replace them for you free of charge.

This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.