Dental abrasion can refer to wear and tear on teeth caused by hard brushing or the use of objects like toothbrushes. It can also refer to a dental technique called air abrasion that removes small amounts of decay without using a drill. Dental insurance coverage for air abrasion varies.
Dental abrasion can be defined in two different ways. It can refer to wear and tear on the tooth or teeth, especially when objects such as toothbrushes or toothpicks are used frequently. Other times, dental abrasion or air abrasion is a dental technique that can be employed in place of dental drills to remove small amounts of decay.
In the first definition, dental abrasion can occur under a variety of circumstances and can damage the teeth. A common cause of abrasion is hard brushing, which can eventually cause teeth to have a jagged appearance, especially around the gumline. Dentists are eager to remind patients that brushing harder is not better. Instead, frequent brushing with a soft toothbrush will help minimize tooth decay without causing damage to your teeth, especially when combined with regular flossing.
While it may take years for your teeth to look noticeably different due to dental abrasion, the feel of your teeth may change sooner. Damaging the outer lining of your teeth can cause tooth pain and tooth sensitivity to temperature. It is hoped that those who have regular dental exams will have dental abrasion marks indicated by a dentist who can then make recommendations on how to minimize them in the future. Sometimes, severe abrasion may require backfilling or other repairs. This isn’t always necessary, and dentists may simply be able to get clients to stop any behavior that’s causing problems with their teeth.
The other form of dental abrasion refers to a technique that does not use a dental drill. Called an air abrasion, this procedure uses compressed air to blow a special metal-based powder onto a tooth to remove decay. Some dentists market it as no-drill dentistry, and it can be especially helpful for those who are afraid of the noise or vibrations of dental drills or afraid of novocaine shots. You may not need any kind of numbness in your mouth, although some people do report some slight discomfort during air abrasion.
Air abrasion doesn’t always work. Deep fillings require the traditional drill. However it can be effective for tooth decay near the tooth surface. It can also remove some types of fillings, but it is not suitable for preparing teeth for most metal fillings because it does not create the type of tooth surface that these fillings will bond to.
Many people wonder if dental insurance plans will cover air abrasion. This typically depends on your individual plan and why the abrasion is being applied. Because dental air abrasion can also be used to remove stains from teeth, some insurance companies specify that the abrasion techniques are covered only for the treatment of tooth decay, and some companies may not cover this relatively new procedure for whatever reason.
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