Air abrasion is a dental technique that uses compressed air to propel a thin stream of abrasive particles—often aluminum oxide or silica—through a specialized hand-piece to remove tooth tissue and decay before being suctioned away, similar to sand blasting.
[1][2][3][4] Advantages of air abrasion include that it preserves more healthy tooth tissue (which can increase the strength and longevity of restorations), and has less risk of fracturing or chipping a tooth when compared to a traditional pneumatic dental drill.
Air abrasion generates minimal noise, vibration, pressure, and heat, all of which can increase patient comfort and reduce or eliminate the need for local anesthesia.
[2][5][6][7] In the 1940s, dentist Robert Black began researching air abrasion technology and its use in dentistry.
[6][8][9] The unit failed to gain wide popularity due to several factors, including the inability of air abrasion to prepare the well-defined margins and walls needed for the amalgam restorations used at the time, the lack of high-velocity suction available for powder control, and the introduction of the time-saving air turbine drill.