Hygienist took my cap off

[EvianBaby]

The top of my bottom front tooth got chipped about 15 years ago and the dentist built it back up with something so it looked normal. Not sure what exactly but I always called it a cap.

Went to hygienist today who did a lot of scraping before polish. She didn't show me the mirror this time (which she did when she just did a scrape a couple of months ago) which I thought was odd but had a look when I got home as the tooth felt odd under my tongue and it seems the cap has gone so I've now got a jagged tooth.

I need some advice. Is it reasonable that that could happen with scraping and should I make a complaint and ask them to right it? I want it fixed but I simply can't afford to pay for that sort of thing at the moment. Where do I stand?

[douglas9401]

I'd say it's reasonable that it could happen to a man-made repair but the health professional should have owned up to the fact that it had happened.
Probably worth a word with the person who did the cleaning to get their story and if no satisfaction there then the practice manager's worth a visit.

[J9PUR]

It sounds as though you have lost a direct composite resin repair, which is a tooth-coloured material bonded to the tooth. If it has lasted for 15 years, it has lasted very well. It is certainly possible for a dental hygienist to inadvertently debond it, especially if it is that old.
I would speak to your dentist, and explain what has happened. They may well offer to replace it for you free of charge as a 'gesture of goodwill'.

[EvianBaby]

Thanks for the answers. I didn't want to go in all guns blazing without checking first how easily that could actually happen and I realise it was a very old repair, although I wasn't entirely sure what it was and how long it should last.

What you describe it as J9 sounds right.

I do feel a bit miffed that she didn't tell me that had happened though and that if I hadn't been to see her it would still just be there but swings and roundabouts I suppose. I'll give them a polite call tomorrow and see if there's anything they can do. Perhaps we could go halves on the cost (depending on how much that would be).

[EvianBaby]

Well I went back today and he fixed it. Good as new. There was a small discussion about the charge but once I raised my points he agreed to waive the fee.

[grasscarp]

glad it ended well. When I go to hygienist I usually remind about a couple of veneers I have. These were fitted about 20 years ago and have lasted longer than expected.

[looobylooo]

Well done, Evian,
I'm glad they waivered the charge - and too right too!

[EvianBaby]

I could see he wasn't overly thrilled but was good of him to do it. Although he did say not to tell anyone. I wonder if that included strangers on the internet :)

[grasscarp]

Why would he say that. I would go to him based on your story, or maybe he doesnt want more patients!

[J9PUR]

Sounds a very satisfactory outcome all round!

[EvianBaby]

Maybe he either doesn't want people to know one of his staff messed up or he doesn't want people to think he's a push over.

Although in a way he owed me anyway as I had a crown done a while ago and got it made for free so he didn't have to pay lab fees.

[Hopkirk]

You were lucky the hygienist did so much.

Usually it's a very expensive way to floss your teeth.