Drill Free Dental Procedures

Overview

Air abrasion machines can be used in place of a drill. If you have a fear of dental drills, or cannot stand their sound and feeling of vibration, air abrasion may be a better option for you. In addition, if you cannot tolerate needles, little or no anaesthesia is required when your dentist uses air abrasion.

Why Procedure Is Used

Both air abrasion tools and drills are used to remove tooth decay. It is used most often on shallow cavities.

Patient Concerns to be Addressed

Air abrasion causes little or no discomfort. For small cavities, it may take as little as 10 minutes to clear the decay. While air abrasion can be very convenient, it cannot be used on deep cavities, crowns, inlays, or veneers. Unfortunately, air abrasion can only be used with fillings that do not require a rough surface for proper bonding. This method also cannot be used with amalgam fillings, as air abrasion will not create the kind of precise space required to hold the filling in place.

How Procedure is Performed

Air abrasion works much like an air based sand blaster. Tiny particles are shot through a nozzle via air pressure. An air abrasion machine includes a tank filled with aluminium oxide particles and an air compressor. The particles usually come in two sizes.

Before your dentist starts removing decay from your teeth, you will need to have a rubber or resin shield placed on your other teeth. This will prevent them from being worn down by the abrasion process. You may also need to have your gums shielded. As may be expected, you will also have to wear goggles, or some other form of protective eyewear.

Post-Operative Concerns

Once the procedure is done, you may notice a strange taste in your mouth. This is caused by the particles used to clean your teeth, and will subside with time.

Perils of Disease

Air abrasion is a fairly new technology. While most dentists do not have it yet in their office, some are undergoing training in order to bring this service to their patients.