Sandblasting and polishing are two commonly used techniques in oral care. Although both belong to the category of tooth surface cleaning, there are significant differences between the two in principles, indications, operating methods and effects. Clarifying the difference between sandblasting and polishing will help clinicians to rationally choose treatment plans, improve tooth cleaning effects and ensure oral health.
1. The principle and technical characteristics of sandblasting teeth cleaning
Sandblasting, also known as air flow sandblasting, uses special equipment to spray high-pressure airflow carrying fine granular sandblasting powder (such as sodium bicarbonate powder or amino acid powder) onto the surface of teeth to remove dental plaque, tartar and pigment deposits through mechanical friction. This technology originated from the industrial sandblasting cleaning process and has been widely used in oral cleaning after being improved.
Key features of sandblasting include:
①. Physical decontamination is achieved through high-speed airflow and particle injection, which can effectively remove stubborn pigments and a combination of soft and hard dental plaque that are difficult to remove.
② The particles are small in size and regular in shape, which ensures minimal damage to tooth enamel during sandblasting.
③. The operation process is quick and suitable for surface cleaning within the entire mouth.
④. In addition to cleaning, it can also achieve a mild polishing effect, making the tooth surface smoother.
2. Principles and technical characteristics of polishing
Polishing mainly utilizes a rotating polishing head (such as a rubber cup or a brush) in combination with an abrasive polishing agent to smooth the tooth surface through mechanical friction and remove fine stains and tiny roughness on the tooth surface. Polishing is usually the last step in the tooth cleaning process, and its purpose is to improve the smoothness of the teeth and reduce the adhesion of plaque.
Key characteristics of polishing include:
①. Rely on mechanical rotation and the grinding effect of polishing agents to remove fine stains on the surface of teeth.
②. It can effectively smooth the tooth surface, reduce roughness and delay the re-accumulation of plaque.
③. Polishing agents usually contain fine abrasive particles and lubricating ingredients and are used in conjunction with polishing tools.
④. Usually used for tooth surface treatment after sandblasting or ultrasonic cleaning.
3. The main difference between sandblasting and polishing
| aspect | Sandblasting | polishing |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism of action | High-speed airflow carries fine particles to impact and clean the tooth surface | Mechanical rotating polishing head combined with abrasive polishing agent to grind tooth surface |
| Key Features | Removes plaque, stubborn pigments and some tartar | Smooth tooth surface, remove fine stains and improve surface finish |
| Scope of application | For hard-to-remove pigmentation and soft scale, suitable for wide areas | Suitable for cleaning and polishing the back teeth to enhance the smoothness of teeth |
| Risk of injury | Minimal damage to tooth enamel when performed correctly | Over-abrasive polishing agents may cause tooth enamel wear |
| Operation process | It is carried out in the form of air jet, which is fast and easy to operate. | Requires delicate techniques, takes a long time, and needs to be used with polishing agents |
| Duration of Effect | It can quickly remove pigments, the effect is significant but the duration is limited | Delay plaque formation, improve tooth surface smoothness, and help maintain a clean state |
4. Differences in clinical applications and indications
Sandblasting is commonly used to remove pigment deposits caused by diet (such as coffee, tea, tobacco). It is also suitable for soft plaque and some mild tartar on the tooth surface. It is particularly suitable for patients with heavy pigmentation or uneven tooth surfaces.
Polishing is often used as an auxiliary step after ultrasonic cleaning or sandblasting cleaning to help restore the smoothness of the tooth surface, reduce bacterial adhesion, and improve oral cleaning effects. Polishing is of great value to patients with smoother tooth surfaces and no obvious pigmentation deposits.
5. Operation Process Comparison
Sandblasting teeth cleaning is usually completed with a sandblasting machine. The patient needs to wear goggles during the operation. The doctor adjusts the sandblasting angle and pressure to spray the tooth surface evenly. During the operation, care should be taken to prevent airflow and powder from entering the oral soft tissue and respiratory tract.
The polishing operation is performed with a hand-held polishing instrument. An appropriate amount of polishing agent is applied to the polishing head to slowly and evenly polish the tooth surface. When polishing, avoid concentrating on the same area for a long time to reduce enamel wear.
VI. Safety and precautions
Sandblasting is safer, but you need to pay attention to:
①. Choose the appropriate type of sandblasting powder to avoid adverse effects on tooth enamel and restorations.
②. Pay attention to whether the patient has respiratory diseases or a history of allergies to prevent discomfort caused by inhalation of powder.
③. Protect oral soft tissue and avoid mucosal irritation caused by sandblasting powder.
Polishing operation should pay attention to:
① The particle size and abrasiveness of the polishing agent should be selected reasonably to reduce damage to tooth enamel.
②. Avoid frequent polishing and control the polishing time and intensity.
③. Pay attention to the patient’s oral sensitivity to prevent pain during the operation.
7. Effect evaluation and subsequent maintenance
After sandblasting teeth cleaning, the pigments and plaque on the tooth surface are greatly reduced, and the visual appearance is significantly improved. However, the duration of the cleaning effect of sandblasting varies depending on personal oral hygiene habits. After polishing, the tooth surface is smoother, which helps reduce plaque formation and prolong the cleaning effect.
The combination of the two can remove pigments while optimizing the tooth surface texture, and is a common combination solution in professional dental care.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips: Sandblasting and polishing each have unique functions and scope of application. Reasonable selection and combination of use can help improve oral cleaning effects and protect dental health. During clinical operations, attention should be paid to technical specifications to avoid excessive damage, and personalized care plans should be formulated based on the patient's actual situation.