Michael J. Neary DDS, PC

480-949-8070

mjndds@cox.net

Quick Reference

What is Air Abrasion?

Until recently, there was only one way to remove small, worn-out fillings or decay in teeth – the traditional dental drill. Today there is a new option that in many cases allows your dentist to work without physically touching the tooth. This new technology is called air abrasion.

See a video of air abrasion in action
(Quicktime Movie - 150k)

Air abrasion involves the use of a special handpiece that creates a beam of abrasive particles propelled by a stream of clean, dry air. Air abrasion is most effectively used for:

  • Small, early cavities

  • Repair of small chips

  • Removal of small discolorations and stains

  • Repair or replacement of fillings

    • The advantages of air abrasion over traditional techniques are:

  • There is no vibration and little or no heat generation, so anesthetic can often be avoided.


  • It eliminates any "microfractures" that sometimes occur with a traditional handpiece.

  • It accurately removes the very minimum amount of tooth structure.


    • After preparation, teeth are generally restored with one of the new white filling materials that can be bonded to the teeth.

    Air abrasion is a terrific new technology that helps avoid the use of needles and that uncomfortable numb feeling. It removes the smallest possible amount of tooth structure, and enables your dentist, in only a few minutes, to place strong, natural-looking restorations.