Microdentistry

Advances in early diagnosis and ultra-conservative treatment called microdentistry can reduce the incidence of tooth decay.

A technique called air abrasion permits one of the least invasive treatments ever. Now small cavities can be treated without using the “drill,” and can be restored with beautiful tooth colored materials, which can be quickly hardened with a laser. Often treatment can be performed without anesthesia.

Air abrasion works by using a thin stream of very fine particles under pressure to remove defective areas of the tooth. It operates much like a very small, very precise sand blaster. The process is fast. A tooth can usually be prepared in just seconds. Air abrasion is quite smooth. There is no vibration like with the conventional dental handpiece (the drill.) It is also quieter. There is no whining or whistling sound that so many people dislike. Because there is so little trauma to the tooth with this technique it is usually quite painless. Seldom is anesthesia necessary when cavities are small.

After the teeth are prepared with air abrasion, they can be filled with a new type of tooth colored material which is thin and flowable until hardened with a light. Hardening with a laser makes this procedure very fast.

The benefits of air abrasion include:

• Faster, more conservative treatment,
• More natural tooth structure is preserved.
• Smaller and more natural looking restorations are possible
• No need for anesthesia in most cases

This type of treatment, along with other state-of-the-art technologies (like our Waterlase™ dental laser) make it easier than ever before to have a healthy attractive smile.

It’s always easier and less costly to prevent problems or treat them when they are small, than to wait until problems are big. Ask your dentist about microdentistry. It might be just right for you.

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