Air Abrasion

Air Abrasion - Drill-Free Dentistry

Air Abrasion is a relatively new dental procedure used in place of a traditional dental drill, to prepare teeth for fillings and removing decay. The process involves bombarding the tooth area with a stream of very fine aluminum oxide particles. These particles are propelled by Nitrogen gas hit the tooth under high pressure, bounce off at high speeds, and consequently blast away any decay. Because of the tiny particles used, the technique is sometimes called 'micro-abrasion'. Another name for it is 'kinetic cavity preparation', since the principle of kinetic energy gives the particles enough impact power to actually remove decay and tooth structure.

Air abrasion is used to repair cracks, discolorations, and prepare teeth for bonding procedures. In fact, the technique prepares the tooth surface to provide maximum adhesion for cosmetic work, and increased bonding strength in both restorative and cosmetic applications. Plus, it's great for conducting young children's dental treatments, eliminating the frightening noise, vibrations, and discomfort associated with a dental drill.

Comfort for you

The air abrasion procedure is both simple and effective. You are given protective glasses to wear so that the tiny, harmless dust particles do not bother your eyes. Also, we may fit your mouth with a rubber barrier called a 'rubber dam' around the treatment zone, to keep the particles away from your mouth and confined to a limited area. As we begin the procedure, we gently move the hand-piece into position and blow the air stream at the tooth to be treated. This results in a small amount of harmless, gritty debris, that we will spray and vacuum out of your mouth during the abrasion process; remaining particles are simply rinsed away after the procedure. As, in most of the cases freezing is not required you do not walk out with any funny feeling in the mouth.

Effect on Teeth

Air abrasion's minute particles allow such amazing precision that more of the tooth structure is actually preserved in comparison to the traditional drill procedures. Furthermore, there's less risk of enamel micro-fracturing. It also entails minimal discomfort, since the process does not produce vibration or heat; thus the procedure rarely requires anesthetic. And finally, it's both quieter and faster than using a drill.