Our Blog:
Archive:
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Tags
- celebrity smiles (60)
- cosmetic dentistry (11)
- gum disease (11)
- oral health (18)
- oral cancer (3)
- x-rays (1)
- sleep apnea (3)
- oral hygiene (22)
- invisalign (1)
- clear aligners (3)
- orthodontics (8)
- jaw surgery (2)
- Veneers (6)
- Resin Veneers (1)
- Porcelain Veneers (4)
- mouthguards (3)
- dental injuries (2)
- dental implants (15)
- dentures (4)
- Implant Dentistry (1)
- tooth decay (5)
- nutrition (1)
- orthodontic treatment (8)
- crown (1)
- smoking (2)
- jaw pain (1)
- tmj (1)
- tmd (1)
- Dentistry (1)
- bridge (1)
- pregnancy (3)
- snoring (2)
- missing tooth (2)
- replacing teeth (1)
- dental implant (1)
- root canal (2)
- chipped teeth (2)
- bonding (3)
- braces (7)
- lichen planus (1)
- cleft lip (1)
- cleft palate (1)
- oral surgery (2)
- Healthy food (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- crowns (4)
- palatal expander (1)
- osteoporosis (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- tooth grinding (1)
- tooth replacement (1)
- missing teeth (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- fillings (2)
- TMJ/ TMD (1)
- infection control (1)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- removable dentures (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- root canal treatment (4)
- dental emergency (1)
- dental injury (5)
- mouthguard (1)
- restorative dentistry (4)
- apicoectomy (1)
- bad breath (1)
- teething (2)
- pediatric dentistry (6)
- teeth whitening (3)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- wisdom teeth (4)
- dental exam (1)
- space maintainer (1)
- periodontal disease (1)
- chipped tooth (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- trigeminal neuralgia (1)
- facial pain (1)
- adult braces (1)
- air abrasion (1)
- chewing tobacco (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- flossing (1)
- Dental Crowns (1)
- orthognathic surgery (1)
- Sedation (1)
- Nitrous Oxide (1)
- Dental Fear (1)
- smile makeover (1)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- Family Dentist (1)
- retainers (1)
- topical fluoride (1)
- root resorption (1)
- gerd (1)
While it may not be one of your favorite features in the dental office, the dental drill is nevertheless necessary for treating problem teeth. It’s used primarily for removing decayed or damaged structure and preparing a tooth for fillings or other restorations.
Dental drills have been used for decades and are quite effective — but they have their drawbacks. Their rotating burrs often remove portions of healthy tooth structure along with decayed material. Friction from the drill action can cause discomfort, so local anesthesia is usually needed. Drills can also emit a high-pitched machine noise that’s unsettling to many patients.
There’s a growing alternative to the drill, known as air abrasion. Although the technology has been around since the 1950s, the development of new suction pumps that capture the resulting dust from its use has made it more palatable as an option to the traditional drill.
Also known as particle abrasion, the technique uses a pressurized stream of fine particles (usually aluminum oxide, an abrasive powder) directed at teeth to wear away (abrade) the tooth’s structural surface. We can be quite precise in the amount of surface material removed, so it’s useful for diminishing stains or roughing the surface for bonding materials like composite resin. We’re also able to remove decayed material with very little impact on surrounding healthy structure, and you may not need anesthesia during the procedure.
While this quiet alternative to the noisier drill is quite versatile, it does have its limitations. It’s not that efficient for preparing larger cavities for restoration or for removing older amalgam fillings. The teeth to be treated must be carefully isolated to prevent the fine particle dust produced from being swallowed by the patient or spread into the air. High-volume suction equipment is a must or the procedure will create a “sandstorm” of particles in the room.
Still, for situations suited to it and with proper isolation measures, air abrasion can be effective and comfortable. If the technology continues to improve, the dental drill may soon become a relic of the past.
If you would like more information on procedures using air abrasion, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Air Abrasion Technology.”
