Does the sound of the dental drill make you nervous? Well, many people react to this important instrument, even in the hands of a highly air abrasionskilled dentist. Fortunately, for some restorative and cosmetic procedures, your Port Orchard dentist, Dr. Ronald Schoepflin, offers a wonderful alternative for tooth preparation. It's called air abrasion, a pain-free, quick and effective way to remove decay, even rough surfaces and more. Learn more here about this innovative technique used at Schoepflin Dental Excellence.

What is air abrasion?

Literally, it's a little sandblaster, operating on the same principal as pressure washers and other construction tools which clean and resurface concrete and stone. Used instead of a high-speed drill, the air abrasion tool delivers tiny particles of aluminum oxide directly to tooth enamel, removing decay, reshaping chips and cracks or getting enamel ready for composite resin bonding.

Fortunately, air abrasion eliminates the noise and vibration associated with many dental procedures, thereby making patients more comfortable and relaxed. Also, most air abrasion procedures require no locally injected anesthesia or other sedation. So, if needles or the idea of oral or inhaled sedative make you wary, air abrasion could be your ideal choice.

How it works

Say, for example, you need a filling repaired with composite resin. To begin the procedure, Dr. Schoepflin installs a rubber dam in your mouth to isolate the tooth and to protect your lips, gums, and tongue. Next, he uses the air abrasion tool to deliver the aluminum oxide particles at high speed, literally blasting away the decayed portions of the tooth. (Air abrasion works well for mild to moderate decay.)

As the dentist works on your tooth, his assistant removes the aluminum oxide particles and other debris with a small vacuum and rinses your mouth. Then, Dr. Schoepflin adds the composite resin to the prepared site, hardening each layer with a curing light.

The Academy of General Dentistry says that air abrasion is gentler on tooth structure, and by using it, your White Plains dentist removes only the decayed portions of the tooth. In essence, this restorative technique is less invasive than traditional measures.

Other uses

Dentists use air abrasion to recontour chips, cracks, and pits in tooth enamel. It effectively treats cavities in their earliest stages and is ideal for children and other patients who experience dental anxiety.

Contact us

Today's innovative tools and techniques make restorative and cosmetic dental treatments easier than ever. Why not ask Dr. Ronald Schoepflin about air abrasion the next time you come to Schoepflin Dental Excellence for a check-up and cleaning? Call today for an appointment: (360) 871-2959.