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Glossary

Enamel microabrasion

Alternate terms: Microabrasion.

1. Controlled removal of a thin shell of enamel from a smooth surface of a tooth to remove undesirable features such as superficial discolorations or chalky demineralized areas. One method of performing the procedure involves acid etching the surface enamel to produce a roughened / matte surface. The surface appearance is caused by the formation of 10-50 micron enamel projections, which can easily be reduced and polished with laboratory-grade pumice or dental polishing burs.

2. Removal of softened enamel and the organic plug of food debris/bacterial plaque that accumulates in deep pits and fissures of teeth. Typically this is done using an abrasive particle stream of aluminum oxide (typically 20-50 micron particles) driven by compressed air, which may also remove some of the superficial healthy enamel.

Both of these techniques are considered minimally invasive, and typically do not require the patient to be anesthetized to perform them.

Enamel microabrasion itself is not a complete dental procedure. Rather, it is a means of removing a minimal amount of tooth structure, prior to finishing or restoring the tooth. The tooth may or may not need a restoration following the procedure. If not, the procedure may be billed simply as a microabrasion procedure. If so, the microabrasion portion of the procedure is typically bundled into the cost of the restoration. Two examples of microabrasion are shown in the photographs.

Deep pits and fissures in this molar have led to tooth decay (dental caries)

Suspected stains and organic material in the deep pits of a lower permanent molar tooth. No cavity was clinically evident, and none was noted on an X-ray image of the tooth.

Fissures in this molar tooth were removed with enamel microabrasion to expose cavity

Enamel microabrasion has been performed on the pits and fissures of the tooth shown in the previous photo, using aluminum oxide powder. Note that a cavity which was not evident prior to the abrasion procedure was discovered (see arrow). Complete removal of the decay will be necessary, followed by placement of a filling. In many patients, the tooth will need to be numb to complete the decay removal and filling. Typically, a filling would be billed in this case.
Learn more: Procedures › Fillings & core buildups

Extrinsic tooth enamel stains can be removed by prophylaxis, microabrasion or bleach

Superficial stain and demineralization of the tooth enamel has occurred on a surface which was once in contact with a neighboring tooth. The neighboring tooth was removed prior to orthodontic tooth movement. Minimally invasive treatment by enamel microabrasion was prescribed to remove the stain and superficial demineralization.

Enamel etched with phosphoric acid

The microabrasion procedure involved etching the enamel around the lesion with 35% phosphoric acid for two minutes, followed by treatment with an air-abrasion handpiece (which focuses a jetted stream of aluminum oxide particles at the lesion). The resulting matte surface is shown in the photograph. Note that the lesion has been eliminated.