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Dental hygienist mistake?

7 replies

Areolaborealis · 21/10/2024 17:35

A few days ago, I had a dental check-up followed by a cleaning with the hygienist. It was the first time I have seen this particular hygienist. I usually have a cleaning every six months and it doesn't really bother me but I found this time to be much more uncomfortable than usual to the point that my eyes were watering. Being my first appointment with this person, I assumed that maybe she had a different technique that I'm more sensitive to. So, she was going around my gumline with the metal pokey/spinny thing when she stopped abruptly and asked if I was OK. I indicated that it was fine to continue and she did.

A few days later, I'm at home at the mirror and notice a brown spot on my tooth. Closer examination reveals that the spot is actually food stuck in a tiny little hole on the front of my tooth. I'm sure it was not there before (dentist never mentioned anything either). The hole is quite neat, clean (once I picked to food out) and just a few millimetres in diameter. It looks suspiciously similar to the size of the pokey/spinny tool used by the hygienist.

Is it possible that she might have chipped/drilled into my tooth by mistake? Has anyone experienced this and how did you handle it?

OP posts:
DeliciousApples · 21/10/2024 19:09

😱 I think I'd be making an appointment with me dentist and asking wtf the hole is from.

GildedRage · 21/10/2024 19:17

Dental hygienists don’t use drills, they use various scraping tools, from pointy picks to flatter versions. The buffing tool is not a drill. Nor is the high pressure water tool. Or the floss.

Areolaborealis · 21/10/2024 21:40

GildedRage · 21/10/2024 19:17

Dental hygienists don’t use drills, they use various scraping tools, from pointy picks to flatter versions. The buffing tool is not a drill. Nor is the high pressure water tool. Or the floss.

I realise that its not an actual drill but its a sharp electric object that either spins or vibrates ( I don't know what its called) but I'm worried the hygienist dented my tooth with it.

OP posts:
GildedRage · 21/10/2024 22:16

No her tools wouldn’t “cause” a dent. But taking off the plaque and tartar might expose a cavity you hadn’t noticed.

GG1986 · 21/10/2024 22:59

GildedRage · 21/10/2024 22:16

No her tools wouldn’t “cause” a dent. But taking off the plaque and tartar might expose a cavity you hadn’t noticed.

This, but then usually the hygienist would mention it and advise you to book an appointment with the dentist to have it checked.

T4phage · 22/10/2024 00:46

The dental hygienist at our dentist damaged fillings in both mine and dh's teeth. I refuse to see her now. Even dh commented on how rough she was. They're not immune to making mistakes or causing damage.

AutumnLeaves1990 · 22/10/2024 06:29

GG1986 · 21/10/2024 22:59

This, but then usually the hygienist would mention it and advise you to book an appointment with the dentist to have it checked.

Sounds like the hygienist did it and the fact she didn't mention it makes her look guilty I'm afraid.

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