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Advanced Dental Technologies
Air Abrasion
Air abrasion is a dental procedure preformed on the enamel of a tooth to remove small worn out fillings, eliminate small stains or defects in the surface of the tooth, clean out cavities, and prepare teeth for fillings and sealants. It involves a beam of microscopic abrasive particles propelled by a gentle stream of dry, compressed air. When this stream is directed onto the surface of a tooth it acts similarly to a conventional drill but is quieter, faster, and eliminates the vibrations often felt with a drill because the tip of the hand piece does not physically touch the tooth. Air abrasion maintains tooth strength by removing the least amount of tooth structure. This makes for a healthy, quiet and comfortable visit.
Will I need to be numb for my appointment?
Since very little tooth structure is taken away, anesthetic is seldom needed for this procedure. This allows us to do multiple teeth in one visit.
What are my alternatives?
- Wait on treatment – deciding to wait to treat a tooth is always an option, but can sometimes lead to further complications. A small cavity, if not treated, may become larger and require a large filling.
- At times a conventional drill may be used on the enamel, depending on the situation.