Will an electric toothbrush damage my porcelain crown?

I’m starting to get paranoid about my new porcelain crown. I came across an article that mentioned how an ultrasonic tip is used by dentists to remove an implanted post. So, I’m wondering if that same technology used in electric toothbrushes will cause damage. Will the vibrations loosen it make it fall out?

-Pam in Kentucky

Pam,

That is an interesting question and it is understandable the parallel you made to electric toothbrushes. However, the sonic vibrations are likely not strong enough to loosen any dental work. They are designed to remove plaque. So, unless your dentist tells you otherwise, it shouldn’t be an issue.

The ultrasonic equipment used by a dentist is called an ultrasonic scaler. This is a highly powerful tool, most often used by dental hygienists when they are cleaning a patient’s teeth. The tip utilizes the full strength of ultrasonic technology directly to a strong tip. The post is removed when the ultrasonic scaler is applied directly to it for an extended period of time.

Therefore, there really isn’t a comparison between the dental tool and an ultrasonic toothbrush. The toothbrush also has very soft bristles vs the strong tip.

You should be able to care for your porcelain crown very similarly to how you care for your natural teeth. If you have any further questions about your specific case, feel free to give your dentist a call to clarify.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.