Air Abrasion

For decades dentists were always related to the word “pain”. Some people even develop a phobia of dental procedures (odontophobia). This is why there is always a constant search to discover new technologies and techniques to make dental procedures more comfortable.
On the top of these innovations comes air abrasion or drill-free dentistry. Air abrasion is an alternative way of cavity preparation and caries removal efficiently without pain.
The success of air abrasion in conserving tooth structure and producing precise and efficient results without the need for anaesthesia opened the door for its usage in many other dental procedures.
At Dulwich Dental Office, the home of recent trends and technologies in the dental field, we incorporate air abrasion services into many of our procedures to offer our patients a pain-free dental experience.

Concept of Air Abrasion

Air abrasion adopts the concept of non-rotary removal of tooth structure, hence the term drill-free technique. Air abrasion involves directing specific abrasive particles at high-speed using compressed air. When the abrasive particles strike the tooth, they remove the tooth structure less hard than the abrasiveness of the particles used. This allows for selective tissue removal allowing for conservative and efficient cutting.
Air abrasion eliminates the need for rotary cutting known for its annoying effects of heat, vibration, and pain production. Several parameters govern the efficiency of air abrasion, including:

Particle size
Different abrasive particles can be used with air abrasion, such as aluminum oxide, silica, or baking soda. Each of these particles has a different diameter and abrasiveness. A suitable abrasive particle is selected according to the intended use of air abrasion.

Air pressure
Different air pressure for releasing the abrasive particles can be selected according to the application. Surface preparation for bonding requires less pressure than that used for caries removal.

Nozzle diameter
A small nozzle diameter can be used for inaccessible areas, while a larger diameter can be used for surface preparation for large areas.

Exposure time
Larger particle size allows for faster cutting which decreases the exposure time.

Air Abrasion Can Be Used For

Removal of decay.
Preparation of tooth structure for bonding procedure.
Removal of surface stains and teeth polishing.
Removal of old restorations (except for metallic restorations).
Occluding open dentinal tubules to eliminate teeth sensitivity.
Cleaning the cavity walls from excess cement following root canal treatment.
Polishing tooth surface after removal of orthodontic braces.
Children’s dentistry to remove caries comfortably in children without anaesthesia.
Preventive dentistry: clean pits and fissures before applying fissure sealants.
Detection of early progressing decay: air abrasion can be used to remove the surface stains to detect caries instead of using rotary instruments that can remove sound tooth structure

Advantages of Air Abrasion

When compared to the conventional drilling technique, air abrasion has the following advantages:

No heat, vibration, or noisy sound.
More comfortable experience for the patients.
Painless technique which eliminates the need for anaesthesia.
Reduce the risk of removing unneeded healthy tooth structure.
Leave behind smooth rounded margins which reduce the risk of chipping and fracture.
Quick; multiple cavities can be done at the same visit.

Disadvantages of Air Abrasion

Suitable only for shallow and small cavities.
The prepared cavity is suitable only for composite restorations.
May cause minor teeth sensitivity.
Can not be used to remove old amalgam restorations.
May cause soft tissue laceration.

Air Abrasion Procedure at Dulwich Dental Office

Dulwich Dental Office, London’s dental pioneer, offers its patients a pleasant dental filling experience with the drill-free, painless air abrasion technique.
During your consultation visit, our experts will examine the cavity thoroughly to determine the caries extension and medical history will be collected to determine if you are a good candidate for air abrasion caries removal.
If the cavity fits the scope of air abrasion, you will be prepared for some protective measures to avoid particle inhalation. These protective measures include:

Isolating the carious tooth with a rubber dam to protect the neighboring teeth and soft tissues. The rubber dam is extended upward to shield our nostrils and avoid accidental inhalation of the air abrasion particles.
Offering eye goggles to protect your eyes.
Preparing a high suction device to catch the abrasive particles, the removed decay, and tooth structure.

The proper parameters are selected and our experts start the air abrasion procedure. Once the decay is removed, the cavity is ready to bond with composite restorations.
Sometimes, when the cavity is hard to access using air abrasion, a conventional rotary drill may be used initially to open the cavity.

Best Candidates for Air Abrasion

Air abrasion is an effective treatment option for children, patients who have a fear of dental procedures, cavities with initial caries, and for safely removing surface stains during a hygiene visit. However, like any other dental procedure, air abrasion may not be ideal for everyone. It is not recommended for the following cases:

Asthma patients may experience asthma attacks due to the accidental inhalation of particles released during air abrasion.
Abrasive particles are not very effective for treating soft caries. Soft decay is better removed using hand instruments, such as excavators.
There may be concerns regarding the amount of mercury released during the abrasion of amalgam restorations. It is recommended to remove amalgam restorations using rotary instruments for better efficacy.
When an amalgam restoration is necessary, air abrasion is not the right choice for cavity preparation because it leaves behind rounded cavity margins, which are inconvenient for this type of restoration.
Air abrasion is not recommended in case of deep cavities. The tissue removal is not always completely controlled, which may lead to pulp exposure.

FAQs

How does air abrasion work?

Air abrasion works by directing a high-pressure stream of abrasive particles to the tooth structure to remove tooth decay while conservating healthy tooth structure.

What are the applications of air abrasion?

Air abrasion can be effectively used to remove initial decay, surface treatment for bonding, stained teeth polishing, removal of old non-metallic restorations, children’s dentistry, and conservative cleaning of pits and fissures to receive fissure sealants.

What are the limitations of air abrasion?

Air abrasion is not suitable for the removal of soft decay, deep cavities, removal of old amalgam restorations, asthma patients, and cavity preparation to receive an amalgam restoration.

What are the advantages of air abrasion versus rotary instruments?

Air abrasion is more conservative, less painful, and produces no heat or vibration compared to rotary instruments.

How long does the air abrasion procedure take?

Air abrasion is a fast and efficient procedure. Treatment with air abrasion may take only a few minutes, which allows for working on multiple teeth during the same visit.

Does air abrasion require special precautions?

Air abrasion produces a splash of the abrasive particles which require protection of the surrounding teeth and soft tissues to avoid their injury and to prevent accidental inhalation of the abrasive particles. The precautions during air abrasion involve using protective eye goggles, isolating the operating tooth using a rubber dam, and using high suction.

What particles are used in air abrasion?

Several types of abrasive particles may be used during air abrasion, such as aluminum oxide, silica, and baking soda. The diameter of each of these particles determines its abrasiveness and subsequently its use. For example, caries removal requires larger diameter particles than that required for surface preparation for bonding.

Is air abrasion safe?

Air abrasion is a safe procedure when performed using safety precautions to avoid injury of soft tissues or accidental inhalation.

Which type of cavity preparation can be performed using air abrasion?

Air abrasion can be used to prepare small cavities to receive composite filling and for cleaning pits and fissures to receive dental sealants.

Does air abrasion eliminate the need for using rotary instruments and anaesthesia completely?

Air abrasion can be efficiently used to remove initial caries. However, some cases require initial drilling to open access to the air abrasion to remove decay. Also, air abrasion can not remove soft caries or old amalgam restorations which may require the use of rotary instruments. Using rotary instruments may involve anaesthesia to prevent pain and discomfort.

Other General Dental Treatments

PREVENTIVE CARE

View

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

View

BONDING

View

FLEXIBLE DENTURES

View

BRIDGES

View

MOUTHGUARDS

View

FILLINGS

View

CROWNS

View

ALL-ON-4 IMPLANTS

View

ORTHODONTICS

View

DENTURE STABILISATION

View

HYGIENIST

View

ORAL CANCER SCREENING

View

CHILDRENS DENTISTRY

View

We Have You Covered

Dulwich Dental Office is proud to be one of London’s trusted providers of NHS dentistry and private dentistry, delivering high-quality dental care in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Whether you need a routine dental examination in Crystal Palace, a filling in Penge, Invisalign treatment in Notting Hill, dental implants in Fulham, or professional teeth whitening in Parsons Green, our experienced dentists are dedicated to helping you enjoy lifelong oral health.

Our team offers a complete range of preventative, restorative and cosmetic treatments using modern techniques and advanced technology. Services include routine check-ups, dental hygiene appointments, tooth-coloured fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, composite bonding, braces, Invisalign clear aligners, teeth whitening, prosthodontics, bone grafting and dental implant treatment. Every patient receives a personalised treatment plan based on their individual needs and goals.

We welcome patients from Upper Sydenham, Sydenham, Anerley, Gipsy Hill and South Norwood, many of whom continue to recommend our practice to friends and family thanks to our professional service and caring approach.

Whether you’re seeking routine dental care or a complete smile restoration, Dulwich Dental Office is committed to delivering outstanding results with your comfort in mind. Contact our friendly team today to arrange your appointment and experience the difference that personalised dental care can make.

Testimonials

My Children have been going to Dulwich Dental Office for years . It’s always a pleasant experience for them every one is always nice and friendly from the reception staff to the dentist.

Friendly staff and a very good turn around for appointments , next step to meet the hygienist if he’s as lovely as the rest of the staff it will be great

Wendy D.

Dr Xavier is the best orthodontist I have ever come across in London. From children to adults, he has incredible success. Myself and my wife had treatment with him and our smiles are banging! He used invisalign on us. It was so easy!

Had a tooth out which is never fun, but he was great, never even needed pain killers afterwards

Vince A.

Everyone at Dulwich Dental office is lovely, from the friendly and welcoming reception staff, right to dentist and hygienist. They do a great job, and have always made me feel comfortable, while helping me keep my teeth in good shape. I recently tried the Airflow treatment during hygienist visit and wow, totally worth it! Thanks, dental team!

Great service! Im usually so nervous when coming in to the dentist but my dentist was so pleasant and polite ! Dulwich Dental Office will definitely be my dentist for life

Tomike O.

I lost my two front teeth whilst at school and had complications for years. Unfortunately I ended up needing an implant – which I had been avoiding! I wish I had done it sooner. Dr Patel was fantastic and guided me through each stage. He was always contactable to answer any queries or concerns. Very happy with the end result and would reccomend.

Tom O.

Fantastic specialist treatment – I was heading towards eventual tooth loss, Aaron the hygienist helped me with a treatment plan and my teeth bones have regrown by 2mm and I no longer have bleeding, a remarkable turnaround in 6 months! Thank you so much. Lovely reception staff too. Thanks!

Registered and seen on the NHS within 2 weeks – amazing. Really friendly staff, would definitely recommend

Tom C.

Just seen Dr.Ho for some severe molar sensitivity i was having . I wasn’t managing to drink or eat anything very hot or cold. He did a thorough assessment like always and undertook a T scan and adjustments to bite and within half an hour my sensitivity was essentially gone!! Great service like always

Lovely staff on front desk, always welcoming and friendly, dentists are also amazing and professional- 10/10 experience every time!

A great surgery; Dr Cavan in particular spent time with me to make sure my new night guards fitted well and were up to the job