Air abrasion

Drill-free, painless fillings that look better and last longer

Do you hate the sound of the dentist’s drill? Air abrasion removes tooth decay painlessly, with no drilling.

What is air abrasion?

Air abrasion is a form of minimally invasive dentistry that allows us to treat tooth decay without using a drill. Instead, it uses compressed air mixed with fine powder to spray the decay away – a bit like using a tiny sandblaster. The powder and particles of decay are then sucked away through a thin tube. We can also use air abrasion to prepare teeth for sealants or dental bonding and remove old composite fillings. Air abrasion is most suitable for small cavities on the surface of your teeth. For extensive decay or decay between your teeth, we may need to use a drill.

What do I need to know about air abrasion?

Air abrasion has many advantages. It’s much better for your teeth, removing the micro-fracture risk that comes with traditional drilling. There is no heat, noise, or vibration, making it a much more comfortable experience for you. Air abrasion only removes decay. It preserves the healthy part of your tooth, meaning there is less chance of it being weakened by the treatment and needing a root canal or crown in the future. Smaller holes mean smaller fillings that look more natural, seal better than any other type of restoration, and last longer.

What other treatments are available?

Depending on your situation, some of the following treatment options might be recommended to transform your smile.

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Fillings
Fillings

Pain-free cavity repair and restoration

If you have a hole or chip in your tooth, we can fill it without drilling.

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An attractive woman smiles confidently, showing her healthy and strong teeth after a visit to dentist, Dr Dave Richards, of Natural Smile Dental St Heliers, Auckland.
The luxurious, clean, quality Natural Smile Dental clinic in St Heliers, Auckland provides dental and cosmetic services using advanced technology for a stress-free dentist visit.

Common questions about air abrasion

  • Air abrasion works best for shallow fillings on the surface of your teeth. If we have to remove some enamel to get to your tooth decay, we will use a drill first, but then we can swap to air abrasion once the decay has been exposed. We’ll let you know at your check-up whether we need to use a drill for your treatment.

  • In most cases, you won’t need an injection when we are using air abrasion, particularly if your cavity is shallow. Of course, local anaesthetic is available if you need it.

  • Air abrasion gives us a much better tooth surface to work with compared to traditional drilling. A good seal is important because it reduces the chance of bacteria getting in around the margins of the filling and causing new decay.

  • Besides removing tooth decay, we can also use air abrasion to remove old composite fillings that require replacement. However, we will need to use a drill to remove amalgam fillings. If you have fissures in your teeth, we can clean them with air abrasion and apply sealants to prevent them from developing decay.

  • Yes, air abrasion is perfect for children who might find the sound of the dentist’s drill scary. It’s also good for people with small cavities who are anxious about receiving dental treatment.

  • The cost of your treatment will depend on the extent of decay and how many teeth need to be treated. Once we’ve checked your teeth, we’ll be able to give you a quote and discuss which payment options suit you best.