subject: Air Polisher Represents The Most Significant Addition [print this page] Air Polisher Represents the Most Significant Addition
Air polishing has been available for four decades, however, the concept is based on a technology invented by Dr. Robert Black in 1945. Dr. Black invented the Air Dent, a device that used compressed air, water, and a highly abrasive powder to eliminate pain from cavity preparation, making anesthesia unnecessary. The Air Dent had numerous problems that could not be overcome, but Dr. Black never gave up on his idea. The technology he invented became the basis of air polishing and was first marketed in 1976. By the late 1970s, air polishing was readily available. Air polishing represents the most significant addition to the polishing armamentarium since the introduction of handpieces and prophylaxis angles. Air polishing is accomplished by the propulsion of abrasive particles through a mixture of compressed air and water through a handpiece nozzle. Kinetic energy propels the air polishing paste particles against the tooth surfaceremoving stain and dental plaque.
Polishing is accomplished by two types of wearabrasion or erosion. Traditional polishing with a rubber cup and polishing paste uses abrasion. The process creates finer and finer scratches with a series of finer and finer abrasives. Air polishing is accomplished by erosion, which is the recession of surfaces in this case dental stain and plaqueby suspended abrasive particles within a moving fluid.
There are two basic types of air polishing delivery systems: self-contained and those that attach to handpieces. Self-contained air polishing units attach to the compressed air and water lines of the dental unit and require an electric outlet. The alternative type of air polisher attaches to the handpiece connection on the dental unit, obtaining the compressed air and water from the handpiece lines. No electrical connection is required for the handpiece connection unit. In general, self-contained units have a range of water pressure of 10 psi to 50 psi. The inlet air pressure from the dental unit is approximately 60 psi. The outlet air pressure, which is delivered out of the nozzle, is set between 58 psi to 60 psi.
Air polishing creates less discomfort for patients who have dentinal hypersensitivity because the sodium bicarbonate particles embed in the dentinal tubules, lessening dentinal hypersensitivity discomfort almost immediately. Air polishing is the method of choice for preparing teeth for placement of sealants and bonding procedures because the air polishing stream reaches into pits and fissure where rubber cups and brushes cannot. Access is not the only reason for using air polishing. Commercially prepared prophylaxis polishing pastes contain glycerin, which can interfere with the chemical aspect of bonding procedures. Air polishing has no such ingredient and leaves no residue or dental plaque. Air polishing is also the method of choice for removing dental plaque and stain from orthodontically bracketed and banded teeth. Air polisherhas many advantages and it will be exciting to see the research and clinical novelties of these new polishing agents as well as others being investigated for development.
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