Teeth sandblasting – indications, procedure, price. What is sandblasting and what does it do?

Teeth sandblasting is, next to scaling and teeth whitening, one of the most common conservative care treatments performed in dental offices. In addition to the noticeable aesthetic effects, sandblasting is also an important element in the prevention of caries, periodontitis and other periodontal diseases. What is tooth sandblasting? When is it worth deciding to sandblasting teeth and what is the usual price for such a procedure?

Teeth sandblasting – treatment characteristics

Tooth sandblasting is a simple and non-invasive dental procedure that is performed on a target improve oral hygiene. The teeth sandblasting procedure is based on cleaning the teeth from tartar and plaque, using a suspension that contains particles of a cleaning substance.

It is these molecules that are called dental sandgive the name to the entire tooth sandblasting treatment. The substances it contains turn out to be hard and compact enough to get rid of plaque, and at the same time delicate enough not to damage the tooth enamel. They are usually sodium bicarbonate particles, which most of us know rather as baking soda or glycine.

Dental specialists perform two types of sandblasting of teeth:

1. Supragingival sandblasting of teeth. It consists in removing plaque from the part of the tooth that is above the gum with dental sand with harder particles (most often sodium bicarbonate). Thanks to this, it is possible to get rid of even significant and bothersome discoloration. The whole procedure ends with polishing the surface of the teeth using special rubber bands or brushes. After supragingival teeth sandblasting, dentists usually recommend fluoridation to strengthen the enamel.
2. Subgingival sandblasting of teeth. It includes cleaning of plaque and discoloration in the area of ​​the tooth pocket. Due to the good blood supply and innervation of the surrounding gums, this type of sandblasting uses sand with delicate, small particles – usually glycine. In this case, teeth polishing is not performed after the entire procedure has been carried out.

Remember the regulars oral cavity checkups.

Why is teeth sandblasting performed?

Teeth sandblasting is a cleansing procedure that is often accompanied by scaling, i.e. cleaning the teeth from tartar with ultrasound. Task teeth sandblasting is to reach hard-to-reach, dirty places, where we cannot get by brushing our teeth every day.

Thanks to sandblasting the teeth, you can get rid of discoloration and prevent the growth of bacteria in hard-to-reach places. This treatment is treated as a preventive treatment. It is performed when there is a clearly visible plaque or a residual stone on the teeth. Often, teeth sandblasting is a preliminary treatment for teeth whitening or a supplement to the cleansing treatment using the scaling method.

Teeth sandblasting is also one of the key stages of tooth hygienization, i.e. a comprehensive dental cleaning procedure. Usually it starts with the removal of the tartar, followed by sandblasting and polishing of the teeth. The final stage is fluoridation, i.e. additional protection of the enamel against caries.

Check what the individual stages are preparations for teeth whitening.

Teeth sandblasting – when is it worth doing?

Sandblasting teeth is recommended for people who are particularly exposed to tartar and plaque build-up on the teeth and – consequently – on discoloration of plaque. Therefore, this procedure should certainly be performed by people who:

1. drink a lot of coffee and / or tea or drink red wine frequently;
2. they smoke cigarettes;
3. suffer from a malocclusion called crowding of teeth (the teeth are then incorrectly positioned in the mouth and are often too close to each other);
4. they wear braces;
5. are preparing for the teeth whitening treatment – prior exposure to sandblasting will strengthen and preserve the whitening effect.

However, it should be remembered that even if none of these points applies to us, it is worthwhile to sandblasting teeth twice a year, if possible. This treatment allows you to comprehensively clean your teeth and prevent unsightly and, above all, discoloration of the plaque that is dangerous to your health.

Teeth discoloration it is formed from the remains of food, in which there are also dead cells of the mucosa and bacterial flora along with microorganisms on the surface of the teeth. Bacteria are known to cause gingivitis, periodontitis, and by the secreted acid, they damage tooth enamel, leading to cavities and the development of caries. With the use of a toothbrush, we are not able to clean the teeth with the required accuracy, so it is also recommended to sand the teeth regularly to clean hard-to-reach places.

Teeth sandblasting: availability, course and price of the procedure

The sandblasting treatment is safe and painless, although it may cause slight and short-term irritation of the gums. You should also be prepared for the unpleasant, salty taste of dental sand – in many offices, as already mentioned, however, also more patient-friendly flavored sands are used. The duration of the teeth sandblasting procedure is usually about half an hour. Therefore, it is often combined with scaling or fluoridation.

Teeth sandblasting is carried out with a special aid sand spreaders by a dentist or dental hygienist. The device operates under high pressure, producing a water / air aerosol containing dental sand. In this way, the sand reaches all hard-to-reach nooks and crannies and removes sediment and discoloration.

During the procedure, the dental suction suction sucks the remains of sand from the mouth. The patient is wearing special protective glasses. In supragingival sandblasting, the teeth are additionally cleaned with a special paste, eraser or brush – this stage is polishing. Immediately after surgery is also sometimes recommended fluoridation treatment. A special fluoride preparation is then applied to the teeth to strengthen the surface layer of the enamel.

Correctly performed sandblasting will not damage the enamel. The sand used for the treatment is specially designed to select the size and hardness of the particles. The visible effect of the treatment is a brighter and smoother tooth surface. As a result, teeth can become noticeably whiter, so sandblasting is a good idea before considering specialist teeth whitening.

Sandblasting is offered by virtually all dental offices. Its price ranges from PLN 60 to PLN 100. The National Health Fund does not refund such surgery. According to general dental recommendations, sandblasting should be done once every six months. More often – once every 3-4 months – it is recommended to use this treatment for smokers or people who drink a lot of coffee and tea, as well as for crowded teeth, which are very difficult to clean with daily brushing.

Also check: Tooth fluoridation. When to perform, indications and side effects

Teeth sandblasting – recommendations after the procedure

In order to strengthen and preserve the effect of sandblasting teeth, it is worth following a few important rules after the treatment is completed. Immediately after the procedure, for about 2-3 hours, do not take any food or drink. For the next few days, it is also best to refrain from consuming acidic foods such as citrus or Coca-Cola – these can lead to tooth sensitivity – as well as foods and drinks that are highly colored, such as:

1. coffee and tea;
2. Red wine;
3. beetroot;
4. berries;
5. spinach.

It is also best to refrain from smoking for at least 24 hours.

Some dentists advise you to use for two weeks after the procedure rinses with chlorhexidineif any discomfort or sensitivity to the teeth and gums persists. Such preparations help in the treatment of periodontal diseases – so they can alleviate this type of ailments.

How to make the effect of sandblasting teeth last longer? The key to success is regular daily oral hygiene. It is best to brush your teeth for 2-3 minutes after each meal, without forgetting to use floss and mouthwashes. After sandblasting, the effectiveness of the used ones is also increased whitening toothpastes.

Also read: Chlorhexidine – skin gel and rinse fluid

Scaling and sandblasting

Teeth sandblasting often goes hand in hand with another popular dental procedure, i.e. scale. These are complementary treatments that complement each other – sandblasting removes plaque and discoloration, and scaling helps get rid of tartar. Usually, scaling is performed first, and then teeth sandblasting, but you can also choose only one of these treatments.

What is scaling? It is a method of tartar removal using a scaler – a device that uses ultrasound. Under the influence of its action and water pressure, tartar deposits crack and detach from the tooth surface. The teeth are then polished to prevent future tartar build-up. Usually, the scaling procedure is painless, but if necessary, it can also be performed under local anesthesia.

Find out more: Tooth scaling – what is it? Types and price of the procedure

Teeth sandblasting and whitening

Teeth whitening is often carried out together with sandblasting. Prior oral hygiene in such a case is even recommended, because whitening agents will not be able to work effectively on surfaces covered with tarnish or limescale. The sandblasting procedure itself may slightly improve the color of the teeth, but people who expect a change in a few or a dozen shades are left with dental whitening.

Read more about the relationship between sandblasting and the effect of teeth whitening.

Teeth sandblasting – contraindications

Although tooth sandblasting is a safe and painless dental procedure, it cannot be performed on all patients. Among contraindications to sandblasting teeth such conditions and ailments as:

1. pregnancy;
2. allergies to ingredients used during the treatment (including soda);
3. chronic respiratory diseases;
4. gum disease, e.g. periodontitis;
5. the occurrence of wounds and ulcers of the mucosa;
6. inflammation of the oral cavity;
7. stomach or liver ulcer;
8. pulmonary dysfunction, e.g. as a result of asthma;
9. heart problems.

Before the procedure, you should also remember to inform your dentist if you wear contact lenses or are struggling with tooth and gum sensitivity. In the case of the latter ailment, it should also be borne in mind that sandblasting the teeth may turn out to be unpleasant or even painful.