At our office, we use air abrasion for dental procedures. Many of our patients love this dental tool, as they do not have to experience the dental drill. The hand piece of the dental tool releases a powerful stream of air that contains tiny aluminum oxide particles. The particles, just like a small sandblaster, remove the decay. Patients don’t feel the vibration of a drill and experience far less discomfort.
When Is Air Abrasion Used?
When we use air abrasion, we usually are preparing a tooth for a composite or tooth-colored resin filling. We may also use the equipment to repair discolored teeth or cracks in teeth. The air abrasion tool is often used to prepare the teeth for bonding or sealants. We like this equipment, as it does a great job in repairing worn, fractured, or chipped teeth. It can also be used to prepare the teeth for cosmetic procedures, such as veneers, or to repair or replace older fillings. Broken bridges and crowns can also be repaired by using air abrasion equipment.
What Happens When Air Abrasion Is Used?
Because an air abrasion procedure causes little discomfort, an anesthetic injection is usually not necessary. You will not feel any vibrations as the equipment operates quietly. We like this method, as we do not remove as much of the tooth. Any fractures in the enamel are reduced as well. It is really convenient that a cavity can be filled when it is spotted during a cleaning. For example, if we see a shallow cavity, we can use air abrasion to restore the tooth immediately. That is why we recommend it for repairing smaller cavities that have formed on the surface teeth. We usually do not use it on a deep cavity that reaches a tooth’s pulp.
If you would like to know more about air abrasion, we can give you further details. Give our office a call for more information today. The more you know about the tool, the easier it will be to make informed decisions about certain dental procedures, including bonding and composite fillings.