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Using air abrasion has been around for many years, in fact, it dates way back to the 1950’s. But what is it, how does it work and what are the advantages and disadvantages of air abrasion.
 Air abrasion is a system that is used to clean teeth and wipe out decay and plaque. Air abrasion works just like the sand blaster that you might see in an auto repair shop. It shoots a micro fine stream of particles, usually made from aluminum oxide, directly at the tooth at a high rate of speed. Those micro fine particles systematically wear away plaque and decay.
The air abrasion system has been gaining in popularity recently due to new advances in technology. Air abrasion is completely safe and generally only requires that your dentist installs a rubber dam to protect themselves and to protect the other tender areas in the patient’s mouth.
There are several reasons why you and your dentist may choose air abrasion treatment instead of tradition drilling to treat decayed teeth.
First off, patients that receive air abrasion generally don’t need any anesthesia. The effect of air abrasion will more than likely be pain free depending on the depth of the cavity.
Air abrasion doesn’t create heat or produce annoying sounds like regular drilling equipment, which is great for reducing anxiety in patients.
Dentists like using air abrasion when they use composite filling because it doesn’t require the use of water to keep the area being worked on cool. When they place the composite filling the area is already dry.
Dentists who use air abrasion are much less likely to damage a tooth through chipping or mismanaging the drill as well. Reducing the risk of damaging a tooth can have a dramatic effect on the longevity of the tooth’s life and any work that the dentist performed.
Unfortunately, there are some disadvantages to air abrasion as well.
Air Abrasion can cause sensitivity in the teeth and is not generally used for deeper cavities, especially ones that would be invasive to the teeth’s pulp or nerve. If the cavity is not a shallow one, air abrasion may require the use of a local anesthetic.
Air abrasion has other uses besides removing decay or plaque. Air abrasion can be used to remove old restorations that are made of composite material. Air abrasion is great at removing stains that are superficially present on the surface of the tooth as well.
Discussing the benefits of air abrasion with your dentist will help determine if it would be best for you.
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