Abstract
Air-Powder Abrasive System a new technique currently being promoted and it is aplication in dental clinic. The new polishing units are air-powered devices which use water and air pressure to deliver a stream of cleaning powder, which is mainly sodium bicarbonate. Effects and deposit removal areas are changed by varying working angles and distances, however, these differences are not yet clear. In addition, effects on enamel, dentine and cementoenamel junction or removal of stain and deposits in pits and fissures are also unknown. Therfore, we examined these points, using an Air-flow in this study.
The following results were obtained.
1. The best working angle is 60° at a distance of 5 mm from tooth surface.
2. Air-Powder Abrasive System cannot control extent of removal area.
3. In the scanning-electron microscopic observations, the enamel surface is relatively undamaged but dentine and cementoenamel junction are markedly damaged.
4. There is no effect of stiking dental plaque on enamel by using the Air-Powder Abrasive System.
5. Removal of stain and deposits in pits and fissures is limited to the surface and no removal is seen at the bottom.
