Air Powder Polishing (APP) is a modern, non-invasive method for professional dental cleaning, offering an alternative to traditional rubber cup polishing and ultrasonic scaling. This technique uses a specialized device to generate a high-velocity stream that cleans the tooth surface quickly and comfortably. The system gently removes deposits and stains without the direct scraping or rotational forces associated with older methods, improving efficiency and patient experience.
The Primary Targets of Air Powder Polishing
Air powder polishing effectively removes three main types of surface deposits. The first is extrinsic stains, which are discolorations accumulating on the outer surface of the enamel. These include stains caused by regular consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco products. APP’s high-powered stream handles these surface pigments efficiently, often succeeding where traditional polishing struggles.
APP is also effective at disrupting and removing dental plaque, a complex community of microorganisms known as biofilm. The fine powder particles clear plaque from hard-to-reach areas, such as grooves on chewing surfaces and spaces between teeth. Disrupting mature biofilm is important for preventing both tooth decay and periodontal disease. Finally, APP quickly removes soft debris, including loose food particles and fresh deposits that have not yet hardened into calculus, preparing the surface for treatments like fluoride application or sealant placement.
The Mechanism: How Air Powder Polishing Works
The cleaning power of air powder polishing comes from a precisely controlled, pressurized stream delivered through a specialized handpiece. This stream combines compressed air, water, and fine abrasive powder particles into a slurry directed onto the tooth surface. Deposit removal is achieved through kinetic energy, where the impact of the powder particles gently erodes surface contaminants without damaging the enamel.
The choice of powder determines the application and intensity of the cleaning. Sodium bicarbonate is the conventional choice for robust stain removal above the gumline due to its larger particle size. Newer powders, such as glycine and erythritol, are much finer and less abrasive. Erythritol, for example, is gentler on both the tooth structure and soft gum tissue, expanding the technique’s use to sensitive areas of the mouth.
Specialized Clinical Uses
Beyond standard cleaning, air powder polishing has several specific clinical applications. It is effective for cleaning around orthodontic appliances, such as brackets and wires, where traditional instruments struggle to remove accumulated plaque. This capability helps reduce the risk of white spot lesions and decay during orthodontic treatment.
APP is also preferred for the maintenance of dental implants because gentler powders, like glycine, safely clean the implant surface without scratching the titanium or surrounding tissue. Its use is established in periodontics for subgingival debridement, where specialized nozzles deliver low-abrasive powder into periodontal pockets to remove deep-seated biofilm. APP is also used to prepare the tooth surface before restorative procedures, such as cleaning pits and fissures prior to placing dental sealants or preparing enamel for bonding.