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Air Abrasion ~Drill-Free
Dentistry
Air Abrasion is a relatively new dental procedure used in place of the
traditional dental drill, to remove decay and prepare teeth for fillings.
A small handheld piece of equipment bombards the tooth area with a stream
of aluminum oxide particles. These particles 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 tooth structure and decay.
Although not appropriate for procedures such as crown or bridge preparation,
air abrasion may be used to repair cracks, discolorations, and prepare
teeth for bonding procedures. It's also an excellent choice for conducting
children's dental treatments, as youngsters are often afraid of the noise,
vibrations, and discomfort associated with a dental drill.
Easy on You
The air abrasion procedure is both simple and effective. First, you may
be asked to wear protective glasses so that the tiny, harmless dust particles
do not bother your eyes. Also, your mouth may be fitted with a rubber
barrier called a 'dam' around the treatment zone, to keep the particles
confined to a limited area. Next, we will begin the procedure, gently
moving the hand-piece into position and blowing 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;
any remaining particles will simply be rinsed away after the procedure.
Effective on Teeth
Air abrasion's minute particles allow amazing precision so that more
of the tooth structure is preserved than with traditional drill procedures.
Furthermore, there's less risk of enamel micro-fracturing. It also entails
minimal discomfort, since the equipment does not produce vibration or
heat; thus the procedure rarely requires anesthetic. And finally, it's
both quieter and faster than using a drill.
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