Thinking about removing tooth decay with the help of compressed air? If you’re from Powell, air abrasion is a recent technological advancement in dentistry that is used for different purposes! This procedure helps remove cavities, perform surface conditioning, and prepare new teeth.
Powell, TN dental office uses this alternative technique to the conventional drilling method to maintain the natural structure of teeth. This treatment is used for several therapeutic dentistry processes to help prepare the tooth. Still, if you’re wondering what it is like for many individuals, you have come to the right place! This article will discuss the nitty-gritty aspects of air abrasion technique.
Air Abrasion: Overview
It’s sometimes called microabrasion, a technique for eliminating small portions of early tooth decay by using compressed air to sprinkle a focused stream of tiny particles at the tooth’s surface. The particles are silica, aluminum oxide, or an amalgamation of baking soda. The air abrasion tool that the dental professional uses is a miniature sandblaster.
Without the friction of a conventional drill, this stream of particles gradually removes the tooth’s decaying material. The dental technician will remove the decay fragments with a suction device during the air abrasion. Compared to the conventional drill that dentists used to rely on, air abrasion doesn’t generate vibration, sound, or pressure.
Procedures of Air Abrasion
- Initially, the dentist will prepare the patient using a rubber dam or protective shield around the treatment portion to separate it from the rest of the mouth.
- Now, the doctor will set up the tool that consists of abrasive elements with a compressed air source and a container of abrasive substances. Baking soda or aluminum oxide are the commonly used abrasive elements.
- The dentist now activates the device and targets the specified area. The abrasive elements are propelled towards the tooth surface by air compression, and the tooth issues are carefully eradicated.
- The suction device eradicates abrasive elements or debris, while the treatment safeguards the patient from swallowing or inhaling the abrasive materials.
- Finally, the dentist will proceed with the required treatments, which might involve dental bonding, filling, or other processes according to the patient’s requirements.
Advantages of Air Abrasion
Unlike conventional drilling methods, air abrasion has several advantages:
- It creates no heat, vibration, or burning smells.
- The risk of fracturing or chipping the tooth is massively mitigated, extending the life span of the filing.
- The process doesn’t need anesthesia, mainly if the cavity is shallow.
- The process is simple, although it might take longer than conventional drilling.
Disadvantages of Air Abrasion
- It’s not suggested for curing deep cavities that form between teeth and nearer to the pulp. Instead, the process is the best for curing smaller cavities on the outer portion of the teeth.
- The process isn’t completely painless. Some individuals have faced sensitivity due to the compressed air and abrasive particles.
- If removing the tooth’s protective enamel is necessary to reach the cavity, air abrasion cannot be used. In this instance, air abrasion can clean the decay after a conventional drill.
Conclusion
Suppose you face some dental anxiety while contemplating a conventional dental grill. In that case, you might be astonished to learn the process is now available for use in treatments, including preparing a tooth for dental sealants, eliminating old composite resin fillings, and delicately eliminating superficial stains on the tooth’s surface. Being a highly efficient and comfortable option regarding preparation for many restorative dentistry processes, air abrasion is a leading method of mitigating the extent of damage to your teeth. So, the longer the decay, the longer the damage!
