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A Friendly Introduction to Air Abrasion
Many people feel anxious about dental treatments, and we totally understand that. Air Abrasion offers a gentle approach that can reduce discomfort and stress. In this article, our Perth dentist will explain how air abrasion works and what you can expect during an air abrasion session. You might feel more at ease about your next appointment after learning these simple points.
What Is Air Abrasion?
Air abrasion is a dental technique that dentists use to remove tooth decay and cavities or prepare your tooth for treatment without using a drill. It works by spraying a mix of air and a fine powder onto your tooth to gently remove the damaged parts. It’s a lot quieter and feels much softer than a drill. Most people say it’s more comfortable and less scary, especially if you’re nervous about loud sounds or needles. It’s just a simple, easy way to take care of your teeth.
What to Expect During Your Appointment
Here’s a simple walkthrough of what happens during your air abrasion procedure:
Take a seat: Once you are seated in the dental chair, your dentist will explain what they’re about to do. You can ask questions if you are nervous or anything is on your mind.
Prepping the area: The dentist may use a little tool to keep your mouth open. They may also cover the nearby teeth to focus on the tooth that is being treated.
Gentle air spray: You’ll feel a soft stream of air on your tooth. This air is mixed with a fine powder that gently removes the damaged or decayed part of the tooth.
No pain, just light pressure: Most people say it feels like a light spray or tickle. There’s no loud drilling noise, and you might not even need a local anaesthetic.
A quick rinse: Once the air abrasion is done, the dentist will rinse your mouth to clear out any leftover powder.
Ready for the next step: If your tooth needs a filling or other treatment, the dentist will take care of that right after the air abrasion.
Why Do Dentists Use It?
Dentists use air abrasion because it’s a gentle and precise way to treat teeth. It’s especially helpful for:
Fixing small cavities: It removes decay in a tooth without the loud noise of a drill.
Getting a tooth ready: Air abrasion can prepare a tooth’s surface for a filling or a protective sealant.
Cleaning stains: It’s great for removing stains or spots on teeth that don’t need heavy treatment.
For many people, air abrasion feels less scary than traditional drills. It’s quieter and doesn’t usually need numbing for small fixes. If you’re nervous about dental visits, this method can make the whole process easier and less stressful.
The Advantages of Air Abrasion
Air abrasion has a lot of benefits that make dental visits easier and less stressful for many people.
Less Noise
Air abrasion doesn’t have the loud, buzzing sound that traditional drills have, which can make the experience quieter and perhaps more relaxing for patients.
Reduced Chance of Needing Injections
For smaller procedures, dentists do not usually need to use a numbing agent, and that can be a great relief for people who are afraid of injections and needles.
Lower Risk of Chipping or Cracking
Because air abrasion is gentle and precise, it will reduce the risks of damaging the healthy parts of your tooth during treatment.
Helps Nervous Patients Feel at Ease
If you’re anxious about dental visits, air abrasion can make your experience less stressful because it’s quick, soft, and more comfortable than traditional methods.
Are There Any Drawbacks or Limitations?
While air abrasion is a great tool for many dental treatments, it has some limitations:
Not Suitable for Large Cavities
Air abrasion is great for fixing small areas of decay because it’s gentle and precise. Dentists usually use traditional drilling for bigger cavities, where a lot of damaged material needs to be removed.
Can’t Be Used on Every Tooth
Sometimes, your dentist cannot use air abrasion because of the location of the cavity. If the decay is close to a nerve or in a spot that is hard to reach, your dentist may need to use other tools instead.
Doesn’t Shape Teeth for Crowns or Bridges
If your dentist needs to remove larger amounts of tooth material to prepare it for a dental crown or bridge, they cannot use air abrasion because it is not powerful enough. Because these treatments require more strength and precision, dentists will need to use a drill rather than air abrasion.
Leaves a Gritty Feeling
The fine powder your dentist uses during air abrasion may leave a gritty feeling in your mouth. It can feel a bit strange at first, but don’t worry—it’s normal. Your dentist will rinse your mouth thoroughly after the procedure to get rid of the powder.
Limited Effectiveness on Very Hard Materials
Air abrasion is not the best option for removing things like metal fillings or ceramic material because they’re much harder and need more force to be removed. If your procedure involves removing metal fillings or ceramic material, your dentist will need to use other tools to make sure the treatment is effective.
May Still Require Numbing for Some Procedures
While air abrasion is often pain-free, there are exceptions. If the decay is deep or close to sensitive nerves, your dentist may need to use numbing to keep you comfortable. Your dentist will discuss this with you before the treatment so you know what to expect.
Comparing Air Abrasion to Traditional Drilling
Both air abrasion and traditional drilling are important tools in dental care, and each has its purpose and advantage. Air abrasion is quieter and more comfortable, which can make it a great option for smaller treatments. On the other hand, traditional drills are necessary for bigger or more complicated procedures.
Here’s a brief comparison between air abrasion and traditional drilling:
Noise and Comfort
Patients will experience a quieter procedure with air abrasion compared to a drill. Traditional drills produce a loud, buzzing sound that can feel intimidating, but air abrasion feels more like a soft air spray. For patients who are nervous about noise in a dental setting, air abrasion offers a less stressful experience.
Precision and Gentleness
Dentists typically use air abrasion is usually for small jobs like fixing tiny cavities or removing surface stains. It’s gentle on your teeth and helps protect the healthy parts from chipping or cracking. Traditional drills, however, are stronger and can fix bigger problems, like large cavities or preparing teeth for crowns and bridges.
Pain and Numbing
With air abrasion, you usually don’t need numbing because the process is mostly pain-free. But with drilling, especially for deeper cavities, numbing is often needed to make sure you stay comfortable during the procedure.
Effectiveness for Larger Problems
Your dentist uses drilling when they want to repair extensive decay or reshape a tooth. Air abrasion is not strong enough for those tasks, so dentists only use it for smaller and surface-level issues.
After-Treatment Feeling
Patients may feel a bit gritty in their mouth after treatments with air abrasion. However, after drilling, the treated area may feel a bit sore, especially if a lot of work was done.
Common Questions and Concerns
Will I still need numbing? Sometimes, but not usually for small decay or minor treatments. Air abrasion is gentle, and most people don’t feel discomfort.
Is it more expensive? The cost can vary, and it depends on the treatment and your dentist. In some cases, the price may be the same as traditional drilling, but insurance coverage can differ.
Does it take longer? Air abrasion treatments are usually quick, especially for smaller issues.
Where to Get More Help
It’s normal to feel a bit unsure about dental treatments, and that’s okay. If you’re curious or have concerns about air abrasion—or any other procedure—just reach out.
If dental troubles strike at the worst time, an emergency dentist Perth is just a call away for immediate support.
If you’re experiencing wisdom tooth pain, our skilled dentists are here to help with expert wisdom tooth removal services.
Furthermore, we are proud to be a Bupa preferred provider, NIB preferred provider, HCF preferred provider, HBF preferred provider, and Medibank preferred provider dentist in Perth.
We’re here to listen, answer your questions, and help you feel confident about your care. Give us a call at (08) 9474 5083, and let’s chat about what you need.