My Dentist Left Porcelain Dust in My Mouth After Grinding a Crown

My dentist left porcelain dust in my mouth after grinding on a crown. I got a porcelain crown on an upper molar tooth last week. While the dentist adjusted the crown, I felt porcelain dust in my mouth. Neither the dentist nor the assistant rinsed my mouth to remove this debris. I should have asked for the rinse. I am concerned about the potential health implications of swallowing porcelain particles, as porcelain contains glass-like components. Is it a health threat? Thanks. Tomas

Tomas,

Porcelain is generally considered safe for ingestion, so there’s likely no immediate health risk from swallowing porcelain dust. While it contains some glass-like components, the particles are not sharp and pose minimal concern. Porcelain primarily comprises minerals like feldspar and silica.

However, a dentist must maintain a clean and safe environment. Allowing patients to swallow dental debris is unacceptable. Proper dental care involves utilizing high-powered suction to remove water and particles during procedures, which prevents patients from ingesting unwanted substances.

Your patient rights include expressing yourself or asking questions whenever you are uncomfortable with a dentist’s or hygienist’s technique.

Don’t let your concerns linger and cause dental anxiety. Instead of ongoing anxiety about what happened, talk to your dentist and explain how you feel. Your dentist should be willing to apologize and reassure you about future visits.