Last week, we took an introductory look at a few of the minimally invasive dental procedures holistic dentist Dr. Lewis Gross offers at his Tribeca, New York dentist office. Today, Dr. Lewis Gross wants to take an in-depth look at one of these minimally invasive dental treatments: air abrasion.

What is Air Abrasion?

As one of the newest and most advanced forms of micro-dentistry, air abrasion is used to treat tooth decay and prepare teeth for restorations. To put it simply, air abrasion replaces the traditional dental drill that was once used by dentists to remove damaged dental tissue and prepare teeth for dental work. In compliance with Dr. Lewis Gross’ minimally invasive holistic dental approach, air abrasion removes the noise, heat, vibration, and smells associated with the traditional dental drill, making the procedure a much more comfortable experience overall.

What are the Benefits of Air Abrasion?

In addition to added comfort, air abrasion does the following:

• Removes the need for local anesthetic or sedation in most cases
• Leaves more of the natural tooth intact
• Allows for the treatment of more teeth or the completion of more restorative dental work in one appointment
• Removes the vibrations, noises, and pressure associated with the traditional dental drill
• Reduces the risk of further damage (chipping and fracture) to the surrounding tooth structure
• Leaves teeth dry and clean, which is necessary for placing fillings and other restorative dental work

Like many other dental procedures, air abrasion is not appropriate for everyone. Dr. Lewis Gross suggests air abrasion for patients who experience dental fear and anxiety, children, and those with minimal tooth decay. Patients who wish to have existing dental fillings—amalgam or composite resin—removed, patients receiving dental sealants, and patients who wish to have surface stains removed from their teeth are also good candidates for air abrasion.

To reserve an appointment with Dr. Lewis Gross and to find out if you’re a candidate for air abrasion and other holistic dental procedures, call Holistic Dentists, located in Tribeca, New York, at (212) 732-2200 or visit us online at holistic-dentists.com.