Are dental hygienists allowed to make adjustments to crowns? If so, what if they mess up?

Question

My dentist's hygienist adjusted my crown and I felt her slip and the drill bumped the front of the crown. Now, I can see an ugly scratch on the front of my front tooth where the glaze has been messed up. Should dentist let her adjust crowns? Is she supposed to do that? What should I do?

Maryam Talaie, DDS · Answer

I'll first mention that sometimes patients mistake a hygienist for a docotr, a doctor for a dental assistant or a dental assistant from a hygienist.

A hygienist should not adjust crowns unless they have specific credentials/license (rare). They are not trained to adjust teeth but some hygienists were dental assistants before becoming a hygienist.They may feel like they could do it, but that doesn't mean they should.

In California only a dentist or a Registerd Dental Assitant with extended functions (RDAEF)  can adjust crowns.

as far as the scratch, It could be polished away. If that doesn't work, it should be redone-for free.

Are dental hygienists allowed to make adjustments to crowns? If so, what if they mess up?

Answers (1)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Crown

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

Are dental hygienists allowed to make adjustments to crowns? If so, what if they mess up?

Answers (1)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dental Crown

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