Air polishing Flashcards
Define what air powder polishing is
• A “slurry” is formed of pressurized air, abrasive powder and water is ideal to remove stains in hard to reach places e.g. interdental contact
When is air powder polishing use and why
• Before hand scaling because hand scaling causes micro abrasions and if an air polish is used afterwards, it can lead to the formation of embolisms
State the 4 indications for the use of air polishing
- Effective removal of stain and biofilm on natural teeth, around orthodontic brackets and dental implants
- Removal of heavy and/or tenacious tobacco or chlorhexidine stain
- Prior to fissure sealant placement or other bonding procedures
- Root detoxification for open surgical periodontal surgery
List the 5 types of powders available in the order of hardness (descending)
- Calcium sodium phosphosilicate bioactive glass
- Aluminium trihydroxide: alternative for those who are sodium bicarbonate intolerant.
- Calcium carbonate: abrasive with a mild taste. Suitable for patients with low salt diet.
- Sodium bicarbonate: abrasive and very salty. UNSUITABLE for patients on low salt diet
- Glycine: is an amino acid derivative. Very low abrasive with a sweet taste. Suitable for low salt diets.
Explain the ergonomical advantages of the NSK subgingival tip design (2)
- Semi transparent material promotes greater visibility during procedures
- Flexible and slim to pass into deeper periodontal pockets
Describe erythritol
- Polyol: natural sugar substitute that occurs naturally in some fruits and fermented food
- Contains 0.3% Chlorhexidine (preservative)
- Suitable for patients on low salt diet (no salt) and for diabetic patients
- Safe for hard tissues and has high powder flow density (high impact) for better clean
State the 9 advantages of air powder polishing
- Removes up to 100 % of biofilm
- More comfortable for patient
- Greater access for misaligned teeth and pits / fissures
- No heat generated
- Stain removal made easier
- Enhanced clinician ergonomics
- Increased efficiency
- Less time than traditional polishing methods (15 minutes whole dentition)
- Minimal damage to soft tissues
State the 4 disadvantages of air powder polishing
- Aerosol production
- Difficult to use mirror for indirect vision
- Spray may be uncomfortable for patient and inconvenient for clinician
- Contraindicated for some patients
State which patients airflow is contraindicated in
- AIR-FLOW should not be used on patients with upper respiratory tract infections
- Always take a physician’s consent for medically compromised patients (e.g. bleeding disorders, diabetic patients)
- Patients following a no salt diet should be treated only with Air polishing Glycine or Erythrol Powders
List the 7 oral considerations for air polishing
- Sensitive teeth
- Exposed cementum/dentin
- Inflamed gingiva
- Areas of demineralization
- Newly erupted teeth
- Implant abutments
- Restored tooth surfaces
When are subgingival tips used for air powder polishing?
• Pockets equal to and greater than 5 mm
List the steps for preparation of airflow
Patient
• Explain air powder polishing procedure
• Pre-procedural anti-microbial mouth rinse (Chlorhexidine)
• Lip balm for the patient
• Safety glasses and facial towel or cover
• Disclose entire mouth
• High volume evacuator and saliva ejector (suction)
Clinician
• PPE (glasses, mask/face shield, protective gown, head cover)
• Set-up air powder polisher
Explain the supragingival technique for using the airflow
- Direct the nozzle towards the tooth surface at a distance of 3 to 5mm and at an angle of 30 - 60 degrees
- Make constant small horizontal or tiny circular motions (never stay in one place for more than 5 seconds
Explain the subgingival technique for using the airflow
- Used for biofilm removal of periodontal pockets from 5 to 10mm in depth and implant maintenance
- After positioning evacuator/suction, insert the nozzle into the periodontal pocket and press foot pedal for maximum of 5 seconds using short vertical motions of the nozzle
List 3 instances when SUBGINGIVAL nozzles shouldn’t be used
- Never use the nozzle immediately after any subgingival treatment
- Nozzle usage is not recommended in pregnant woman or patients who are medically compromised
- Do not use the nozzle in patients who do not have at least 3 mm of bone attachment
