Air abrasion is an effective alternative to its more noisy counterpart - the drill. The air abrasion handpiece blows a powerful air stream of tiny aluminum oxide particles; the particles bounce-off the tooth while removing decay. It’s most commonly used to prepare cavities to be filled with composites, repair cracks and discolorations and prepare tooth surfaces for bonding procedures.

Advantages

1. Treatment time is generally shorter
2. Air abrasion procedures are usually painless, which means no injection.
3. They produce none of the vibration or heat from friction of traditional drills.
4. It removes less tooth structure than the drill, thus more tooth is preserved
5. There is little or no discomfort
6. No anesthetic is needed


Does it work for everyone?

It depends on the procedure. Ideally, air abrasion is used to remove small areas of decay or to prepare a tooth for the placement of restorations or sealants. Air abrasion is best used for treating early decay because it helps to preserve tooth structure. Discomfort is minimized and many patients do not need any anesthesia. Children and adults who are fearful of needles, noise or the vibration of a regular dental handpiece may prefer this option.

However, air abrasion cannot be used as an alternative for every procedure. Certain treatments such as crown and bridge preparations require the use of a dental drill.

Note: It is important to note that before beginning any course of treatment you should see your dentist. Please note that without the benefit of a full dental examination, including a review of medical history, dental x-rays, and diagnostic aids, no attempt can be made to provide specific diagnosis or recommended courses of treatment. However, we will be happy to update our site to include topics you feel deserve mention. contact us

Home |About Us | Services | Patient Education | Smile Evaluator | Oral Health Plans | Contact Us

© 2002-2003 dentalvenue.com