Teeth Cleaning Gone Wrong?

Question

Hello, I went for a cleaning a month ago. Now I have a gap on my front teeth. Looking closely it seems that a small part of of one of the teeth is filed. I am positive that I did not have this gap before. I may be shallow but I hate gaps. Even small. The hygienist was very aggressive with the manual scaler. I never had any hygienist in the past scale so hard my front teeth. I am really upset. Did all the hygienist in the past missed something? Thank you very much.

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD · Answer

It seems all too common that someone come to my office after years of seeing inferior care.  The previous office did nothing more than polish tartar, which made MY hygienist need to work extra hard.  It is likely that you finally have tartar removed between your teeth and it feels odd.

	 

	When this happens, WE get blamed for being too aggressive when the fault lies elsewhere. If you are not certain, see a periodontist.

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your experience with your last cleaning.  You can be certain that the hygienist could not remove enamel with his/her scaler.  The more likely scenario is that the hygienist removed some calculus buildup between the teeth that makes an existing space visible.  The other scenario is that your teeth are beginning to move (shift).  Hope this helps.

Andy Shieh, DMD · Answer

I've had this same exact complaint from patients in the past.  They had so much calculus build up which covered up their spaces between the teeth and recessed gums that once they got their teeth thoroughly cleaned, they blame the hygienist that she took their tooth structure or gum tissues away.  Again some pictures for us will tell the tale, but without pictures, I'm willing to bet that you now have cleaner teeth with calculus and you feel and see the spaces between the teeth.  BTW, in a brand new mouth and a healthy mouth, those spaces used to be occupied by gum tissue we call papillae.  Patient with gum disease experience gum recession because their jaw bone melted away by infection and the gum then recedes.

Michael Ayzin, DDS · Answer

Nadia, thank you for a great question. I appreciate the fact that you feel your teeth are precious to you.
My advise is to find a dental office you like , feel comfortable in AND to stick with a hygienist and dentist you TRUST.
Good luck.

George Koutsoukos, DDS · Answer

Yes...I think the other hygienists missed a build up of tartar or plaque between your front teeth and for a long time you thought they were clean and had no gap.  This hygienist had her work cut out for her and cleaned out the build up of tartar between your teeth that the orther hygienists did not get. You said she cleaned aggressively and she probably had to to get it that clean!  When was the last time you had your dental hygiene visit?  Plaque can build faster in some people than others even if you have a good oral care regimen at home. There is no way that the hygienist could have filed down the tooth during scaling!  You just have clean teeth. If you are unhappy with the gap you can always have your dentist bond them together.

Teeth Cleaning Gone Wrong?

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Teeth Cleaning Gone Wrong?

Answers (8)

Answer: Teeth Cleaning Gone Wrong?

Answer: Teeth Cleaning Gone Wrong?

Answer: Did the hygienist miss something?

Answer: Did the hygienist miss something?

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Everything you need to know about Smile Makeover

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.