Can an Ultrasonic Scaler Fracture Veneers?
Posted by Annmarie SanSevero
I had porcelain veneers placed. I recently had a cleaning done. The hygienist used a magnetostrictive ultrasonic cleaner. The next day, two of the veneers fractured. Can an ultrasoic cleaner do this? Is there a type of cleaner that is safer than another?
Rose
Dear Rose,
There are two different types of ultrasonic scales. The one your dental hygienist used, the magnetostrictive scaler and the piezoelectric. While the magnetostrictive is more gentle, it tends to be much more technique sensitive. Because of that it has more potential for damaging your teeth or dental work. If your dentist or their staff know what they are doing, it’s perfectly safe.
When something goes wrong it is more of a risk of the teeth being chipped. You said your veneers were fractured. For that to happen your hygienist would have to use the tip of the scaler on the surface of your porcelain veneers. This is a something he or she should understand is a big no-no.
A dentist or a hygienist needs to be in complete control of an ultrasonic scaler at all times. If they aren’t, it could cause serious damage, as you’ve discovered. In fact, it could do more than damage a tooth. It can damage you.
My suggestion is you have your dentist replace the fractured veneers. Whenever. someone has cosmetic dental work done, especially something highly specialized like a smile makeover with porcelain veneers, I recommend you have your upkeep done with a dental practice that understands advanced cosmetic dentist work. Otherwise you end up in a situation like yours.
You invested a lot of money in your beautiful smile so you need to make sure it is well cared for by professionals who have the post-doctoral training to keep them in great condition for years to come.
This blog is brought to you an AACD cosmetic dentist in Franklin, TN Dr. Christopher Weber.
