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. Air abrasion has some major limitations.
Some patients dislike the taste of the aluminum oxide powder.
Because of the way the air abrasion unit prepares the tooth, only tooth-colored composite resin can be used to fill the cavity. Air abrasion cannot adequately prepare a tooth for crowns or fillings between teeth. Air abrasion cuts a narrow path through the tooth enamel. It is most efficient at cutting through the dentin. Dentin is the second layer of tooth structure.