Air abrasion helps your dentist treat early decay and remove stains in a non-invasive, painless manner. In most cases, we can remove decay without anesthesia or a high-speed dental handpiece (drill). If you’re diagnosed with a cavity, you might be a good candidate for air abrasion.
An air abrasion unit consists of a handpiece and a nozzle that uses compressed air or gas to propel small particles of aluminum oxide, silica, or baking soda onto the tooth surface. Attached to the handpiece is a canister containing powdered particles.
When the abrasion particles touch the tooth, they’re abrasive enough to remove surface stains, as well as those in cracks or the biting surfaces of the teeth. The particles also remove decay. However, the abrasive particles will not damage healthy tooth structure because the enamel is so strong.
Air abrasion in North Long Beach:
Cleans teeth
Removes surface stains
Eliminates tooth discoloration
Removes shallow decay
Is not invasive
Is pain-free
Usually does not require anesthesia
Preserves healthy tooth structure
Doesn’t have the same noise or vibration that a high-speed dental handpiece has when in use
During your appointment, your dental team will use a dental dam and/or cotton rolls to isolate your teeth and protect your soft tissues.
Then, they’ll use the air abrasion handpiece to remove the stain or decay. If they’re filling a tooth, they’ll condition the tooth, prime it, and add a bonding agent. They’ll add the composite material to the tooth, shape it, and light cure it to harden it.
If you experience any sensitivity during your appointment, your North Long Beach dentist can numb your teeth before proceeding.
To use our air abrasion system, we need to catch dental decay in the early stages – when it’s still within the surface levels of the enamel.
Decay that’s progressed to the second or third layer of the tooth (dentin and pulp/nerve, respectively) requires local anesthesia and a handpiece to remove.
Visiting your Bixby Knolls dentist every six months allows them to identify and treat decay in the early stages. Not only does this allow us to use the air abrasion system, but it’s more comfortable for you and results in shorter appointment times.
The cost of air abrasion varies. Our team is happy to discuss the costs of your treatment plan, including air abrasion services. They’ll work with your insurance to fully utilize your benefits and create a payment plan that fits your budget.
Dental decay doesn’t have to progress to the point where you experience pain and sensitivity or need extensive restorative work. With regular visits to your North Long Beach dentist, we can diagnose and treat decay in the early stages. Doing this allows us to treat it in a way that is painless, non-invasive, and preserves as much tooth structure as possible.
Contact our team at (562) 287-5175 to learn more about air abrasion from your Bixby Knolls dentist.
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