All about No Drill Fillings
Are you scared to get your cavities filled because you fear the inevitable drill? Would you rather avoid the uncomfortable experience of traditional cavity repair? If you answered yes to either of those questions, no-drill fillings may be right for you! No-drill fillings are the perfect alternative to traditional cavity repair because they don’t require the use of a drill, making the experience a much more comfortable one. You might be wondering how no-drill fillings work and lucky for you, we have the answers and much more! Let’s take a look at how no-drill cavity repair works, what the benefits are, and if it’s safe.
What are no-drill fillings?
No-drill cavity repair fixes your cavities without the use of a drill! The process is carried out using either air abrasion or hard tissue lasers, both modern methods of removing tooth decay. No-drill fillings do not require the use of anesthetic so that means no needles too!
How does air abrasion work?
The air abrasion technique works by blowing a powerful stream of tiny, aluminum oxide particles onto the affected tooth. During this process, the particles bounce off the teeth and carry the decay with them.
How do hard tissue lasers work?
The essential element of eliminating tooth decay with hard tissue laser is water. Water, air, and laser energy are combined to remove unhealthy tissue in the mouth. Our teeth are partially made up of water. When the laser hits the tooth it excites the water molecules enough that they cut through the tooth. Because the laser continuously sprays out water, it keeps the tooth hydrated, preventing heat and resulting in an effective and pain-free treatment.
What are the benefits of no-drill fillings?
Many patients find that no-drill fillings are not only more comfortable, but also are better for your mouth! Repairing cavities with either air abrasion or hard tissue laser treatment is typically less painful and in most cases, actually painless! There is no need for numbing and needles and you get to keep more of your healthy tooth structure! On top of that, a shorter treatment time can usually be expected, there is no noise, heat, pressure, or vibration and there is less risk of breaking tooth enamel.
Is air abrasion treatment safe?
Simply put, yes air abrasion is safe. However, air abrasion may leave dusty particles that feel a bit gritty in your mouth but they are harmless. Shortly after the procedure, you may rinse them out. The aluminum oxide used in the air abrasion technique is also safe and when it touches saliva, it turns into a benign hydroxide that may also be found in toothpaste.
If you need a cavity repaired, talk to your trusted dentist in Vancouver about no-drill fillings. If your dentist does not offer no-drill cavity repair, seek a dental professional who can provide you with pain-free fillings and a more comfortable experience at the dentist’s office!