If you dread the dental drill as so many patients do, you’ll be happy to learn all about air abrasion and the many benefits of this treatment that may eliminate your need for drilling.
This method prepares and treats a range of dental care needs with a lower stress threshold for many patients, thanks to the less invasive technology and technique applied.
Air abrasion, which may be called microabrasion, is the method of removing tooth decay by spraying tiny particles of silica or aluminum oxide onto the teeth.
Think of air abrasion like a miniature sandblaster that gently wears off the decay on your teeth like a sandblaster wears away rust or paint on old equipment. Air abrasion is gentle and often preferred by patients because it’s more comfortable and less stressful than traditional dental drilling.
Compressed air and tiny particles of aluminum oxide or silica are combined in a spray form that streams across affected teeth. The pressure from the air and the abrasive material of the particles gently wear away decay on the teeth.
Air abrasion is often reserved for preparing a tooth for a new filling. When used for this purpose, it may be referred to as “kinetic cavity preparation.”
Microabrasion may also be used for:
Air abrasion is safe for most patients. For most folks, simple protective gear, including protective eyewear and the use of a rubber dam for the teeth, is sufficient to make the procedure safe and as comfortable as possible.
Additionally, as air abrasion occurs, a dental assistant suctions away the excess, which safely removes the particles from your mouth.
There are a few limited contradictions for air abrasion. If you have any of the following conditions, your dentist may recommend alternative treatments than air abrasion.
Air abrasion has many advantages and benefits for patients, including, but not limited to:
Air abrasion works for most situations, but occasionally, a limitation will arise.
When you come in for your scheduled air abrasion treatment, you will be given rubber dams and cotton balls for use in your mouth, to protect and separate unaffected teeth from those being treated.
Under magnification and specialized lighting, the air abrasion tool will be used to spray the affected teeth with aluminum oxide or silica particles, while the dental assistant suctions out the excess particles. Then a special red dye will be used to ensure all the decay is removed. If it is not, the process will continue.
If you are having a composite or filling placed, a solution will then be applied to the affected areas to roughen up the surface as preparation for the appliance to adhere properly. The material for these appliances will then be hardened under specialized lights and then polished to blend into your mouth as if they’re natural teeth.
Stop Tooth Decay Today with Air Abrasion in Torrance!
Call us today at (651) 373-7660 today to schedule an appointment to see if air abrasion treatment in Torrance is right for you!
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