Air abrasion can help the dentist provide better care while providing you greater comfort during your visit.

If the whine of the drill sets your nerves on edge, you may be an excellent candidate for air abrasion. This advanced new technique painlessly removes microscopic amounts of tooth decay, sparing healthy tooth structure in the process. These advantages make air abrasion an attractive alternative to conventional high-speed drill preparations.

The air abrasive system replaces a conventional dental drill in the preparation of tooth surfaces when filling cavities. A thin direct stream of aluminum oxide particles driven by compressed air at high velocity "blasts" away decay with virtually no loss of healthy tooth material. The technique is limited to use on cavities close to or on the surface which makes it useful for about 80 percent of children and 40 percent of adults.

Very. Approved by both the Food and Drug Administration and the American Dental Association, air abrasion is so safe it can even be used on small children and pregnant women.

In the majority of cases, no anesthetic injection is necessary. Most patients remain comfortable throughout the procedures with no numbness afterward. However, if you are one of the rare people who are uneasy, we will be happy to take appropriate measures to ensure your comfort.

Yes. In fact, due to the improved comfort level and speed of air abrasion, it's often the treatment of choice for children. Many children treated with air abrasion early on avoid the apprehension (dental anxiety) that traditional methods may stimulate.

Because air abrasion is most often used on conservative restorations, we first apply a special cavity detection dye to your teeth to identify the location and extent of decay that might otherwise go undetected by x-rays and visual examinations. We then use an instrument that delivers a gentle stream of compressed air and a superfine powder of abrasive particles to quickly remove the decay. Finally, we fill the cavity with a tooth-colored, non-metallic filling that offers many benefits over mercury fillings, including strength, longevity and appearance.

Many patients say it feels and sounds similar to air being blown across the tooth. The procedure moves so quickly that some people aren't even aware that the air abrasion process is underway.

• Prevention - Earlier detection and treatment of cavities means less damage to teeth.
• Speed - Most air abrasion fillings can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes or less.
• Comfort - Greatly reduced vibrations, sounds and unpleasant sensations.
• Precision - Helps maintain integrity of tooth structure by removing only a minimal section of tooth.
• Appearance - Improved, tooth-colored filling material looks more natural and provides additional benefits over mercury fillings.

A thin stream of aluminum oxide particles driven by compressed air sprays away decay.

Air abrasion is most often used to remove decay in its early stages. It can also remove stains, repair chipped, fractured or worn teeth and prepare teeth for cosmetic procedures.

While air abrasion offers many benefits, it is not always appropriate for all procedures, such as removing large silver (amalgam) fillings or removing deep decay. Based on your individual situation, we will determine what technology is most beneficial to you.

Air abrasion is safe for children as well as adults.

Air abrasion helps many people feel more comfortable with dental treatment. This improved comfort level leads to less anxiety about visits to the dentist for routine care, which in turn allows us to catch many problems while they are still small. We think you will be pleased with this proven technology and we welcome your questions. It's all a part of our quest to help you keep your smile for a lifetime!