Air abrasion is a drill-less technique that involves an instrument used to blast away small areas of early onset tooth decay, as well as help dentists perform other dental procedures. It is recommended for children or other patients who are fearful of traditional drilling. Air abrasion can only be used if you have minimal decay.
How Air Abrasion Works
A fine stream of particles, such as silica, aluminum oxide, or baking soda, is directed at the stained or decayed portion of the tooth. The particles are propelled by compressed air or gas that runs through the air abrasion instrument. As this steady and powerful stream is directed at the tooth, particles of decay on its surface are blasted away. As the particles detach from the tooth, they are quickly suctioned through a tube.
Air Abrasion Advantages
There are a few advantages to using air abrasion over the traditional drilling method, such as:
- No heat, pressure, or vibration is generated to cause discomfort
- Reduces the need for anesthesia, especially if a cavity is very shallow
- More healthy tissue is saved with this process
- Reduces the risk of fracturing or chipping a tooth
Air abrasion can also assist your dentist with other procedures, including:
- Removing old composite restorations
- Preparing a tooth’s surface for bonding or sealants
- Removing surface stains and tooth discoloration
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The single-tooth anesthesia wand provides increased comfort and decreased anxiety when it comes to dental procedures requiring anesthetization. The wand looks like a small pen with an extremely small needle at the tip. The anesthesia wand works by numbing the individual tooth your dentist needs to work on. The device […]
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Air abrasion is a drill-less technique that involves an instrument used to blast away small areas of early onset tooth decay, as well as help dentists perform other dental procedures. It is recommended for children or other patients who are fearful of traditional drilling. Air abrasion can only be used if you have minimal decay.
How Air Abrasion Works
A fine stream of particles, such as silica, aluminum oxide, or baking soda, is directed at the stained or decayed portion of the tooth. The particles are propelled by compressed air or gas that runs through the air abrasion instrument. As this steady and powerful stream is directed at the tooth, particles of decay on its surface are blasted away. As the particles detach from the tooth, they are quickly suctioned through a tube.
Air Abrasion Advantages
There are a few advantages to using air abrasion over the traditional drilling method, such as:
- No heat, pressure, or vibration is generated to cause discomfort
- Reduces the need for anesthesia, especially if a cavity is very shallow
- More healthy tissue is saved with this process
- Reduces the risk of fracturing or chipping a tooth
Air abrasion can also assist your dentist with other procedures, including:
- Removing old composite restorations
- Preparing a tooth’s surface for bonding or sealants
- Removing surface stains and tooth discoloration
Technology
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Using lasers, dentists can detect tooth decay that is not yet visible and would otherwise be undiagnosed using traditional methods.
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Air abrasion is a drill-less technique that involves an instrument used to blast away small areas of early onset tooth decay, as well as help dentists perform other dental procedures. It is recommended for children or other patients who are fearful of traditional drilling. Air abrasion can only be used if you have minimal decay.
How Air Abrasion Works
A fine stream of particles, such as silica, aluminum oxide, or baking soda, is directed at the stained or decayed portion of the tooth. The particles are propelled by compressed air or gas that runs through the air abrasion instrument. As this steady and powerful stream is directed at the tooth, particles of decay on its surface are blasted away. As the particles detach from the tooth, they are quickly suctioned through a tube.
Air Abrasion Advantages
There are a few advantages to using air abrasion over the traditional drilling method, such as:
- No heat, pressure, or vibration is generated to cause discomfort
- Reduces the need for anesthesia, especially if a cavity is very shallow
- More healthy tissue is saved with this process
- Reduces the risk of fracturing or chipping a tooth
Air abrasion can also assist your dentist with other procedures, including:
- Removing old composite restorations
- Preparing a tooth’s surface for bonding or sealants
- Removing surface stains and tooth discoloration
Technology
Related Articles
-
Lasers direct a controlled force of energy that can remove or alter bone and tissue. By applying varying wavelengths of energy, dental lasers are used to detect and treat a myriad of oral health issues, including detecting oral cancer and treating small cavities.
There are two different types of dental lasers: […]
-
The single-tooth anesthesia wand provides increased comfort and decreased anxiety when it comes to dental procedures requiring anesthetization. The wand looks like a small pen with an extremely small needle at the tip. The anesthesia wand works by numbing the individual tooth your dentist needs to work on. The device […]