She is also a clinical instructor at University of Pacific School of Dentistry and an editor for Dentistry On-Line. Air abrasion was developed around 1950. It removes decay by bombarding the tooth with a pressurized stream of microscopic, non-toxic, abrasive powder. The powder is made of aluminum oxide particles. The air abrasion process works like a sand blaster.
Air abrasion is very quiet.
It produces much less heat or vibration compared to a dental drill. Some small cavities can be prepared using air abrasion without the need for local anesthesia. This makes it possible for patients to have several teeth prepared in a single dental visit without residual mouth numbness. Air abrasion may be particularly useful to treat children with shallow tooth decay. Air abrasion does not harm the nerves or blood vessels that compose the tooth pulp.