Air abrasion

(Other Names: Kinetic Tooth Preparation, Advanced particle beam technology, microabrasion) Air abrasion technique involves high energy sandblasting of tooth surface. This technique was given by Dr Robert Black in 1943. This system is used as an adjunct not as replacement for handpiece. The first air abrasion system was Airdent abrasion unit (SS white company). It was heavy weight (more than 100 pounds) but had small tip to deliver a beam of aluminium oxide particles. Later on many improvements occurred in air abrasion devices like the never air abrasion devices come in précised designed and have control on flow of abrasion particles with narrow beam.

Technique

Basically in an air abrasion technique, the abrasion particles are emitted in a well defined sharply focused beam to the target. There are many factors which come into play while evaluating efficiency of air abrasive technology.

• Distance between tip and the tooth.
• Particle energy this is guarded by air pressure.
• Intensity of beam: This depends on multiple factors like type of particles, size of nozzle size of particles, design of nozzle.
• Angle of beam.
• Commonly used particle size is 25-30 μ with 60-120 pounds per square inch pressure.

Advantages of Air Abrasion

• Precise and rapid enamel cutting.
• Produce less heat and pressure.
• Generate less vibrations.
• Patient requiring air abrasion do not need local anesthesia.
• Less discomfort to patient.
• No sound production while tooth preparation.

Disadvantages of Air Abrasion

• Large and heavy air abrasive units.
• Over preparation of tooth can occur.
• High cost of the equipment.
• Loss of tactile sense.
• Can result in soft tissue injury like gingival hemorrhage.
• If handled improperly can damage sound tooth structure.
• Inhalation of particles can cause systemic problems.

Uses of Air Abrasion Technology

• Treatment of pits and fissures: Using air abrasion technology, deep pits and fissures can be widened and deepened.
• Diagnosis of pits and fissure caries: By targeting the particle beam, the discolored portion of tooth can be removed, if surface underneath it is carious, it can be restored and if it is sound tooth is restored with a sealant.
• It can be used as an adjunct to acid etching.
• Cementation of crown is facilitated by air abrasion technology as sandblasting of internal surface of crown can result in increased abrasion.
• Air abrasion can also be used for removal of debris and repair of defective composite restorations.

Air abrasion Resources
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