Hi, it's Mia Armonde here to talk to you about family dentistry. As my small family grew into a large one, I found myself at the dental office on a regular basis. Every six months, the kids would go into the dentist for a cleaning or repairs to their teeth. During that time, I took an interest in the various ways the dental tools were evolving. Tools used in the dental industry have grown in leaps and bounds in the last few decades. For example, my kids went from hearing the dental drill to wearing headphones that completely canceled out the sound. Each time we go back into the dentist, I take a close look at the improvements that have arisen since the last visit. The results are astounding. I will cover my findings on this site, so you can also enjoy the improvements to dental tools and techniques.
Air abrasion is a technique for removing dental tissues, such as decayed part of the tooth or teeth enamel, without using a dental drill. In this case, the dentist uses a dental instrument that blows pressurized air and aluminum oxide particles onto the relevant parts of the teeth. Here are some of the benefits air abrasion has over the traditional drill:
It Is Comfortable
For most dental patients, the premier benefit of air abrasion is that it is more comfortable than conventional dental drilling. This increased comfort is due to the reduced pressure and vibration, as well as the fact that the process produces less heat than the conventional one. You will appreciate these benefits even more if you are one of those people who naturally fear the vibrations of dental drills.
It Reduces the Need for Anesthesia
Traditional drilling is a bit painful and uncomfortable, which is why it is usually done after the administration of local anesthesia. Anesthesia isn't bad, per se, but just like other forms of drugs, it has its side effects, such as blood-filled swelling or nerve injury. Indeed, anything that reduces the need for drugs is good. And due to its pain-free and comfortable nature, air abrasion reduces the need for anesthesia and saves you from the possible side effects.
It Is Precise
The main reason for dental drilling is to remove some teeth enamel to reduce the size of the tooth or design it into a specific shape. For example, you may need dental drilling before you can be fitted with an orthodontic device or to reduce the gap between your teeth. Unfortunately, conventional (mechanical) dental drills are not very precise; it is easy for them to remove more enamel than is necessary. Damaged enamel increases the risk of teeth sensitivity or even dental cavities. Fortunately, using air abrasion reduces this risk because it is more efficient and precise.
It Reduces the Risk of Teeth Damage
Lastly, air abrasion is beneficial because it is less likely to damage the teeth compared to conventional drills. This is possible because air abrasion is naturally gentle, and it is also easy to control precisely. Thus, the risk of cracking or fracturing your teeth during the treatment process is reduced if air abrasion is used.
If you have been keeping off a dental visit due to your fear of the drill, pick up the phone and ask your dentist if you can be treated with air abrasion instead. You might be pleasantly surprised to know that the air abrasion is what the dentist had planned to use all along.
Share18 October 2017
