Effects of an air-powder polishing system on orthodontically bracketed and banded teeth****

S i n c e the introduction of air-powder polishing systems i n 1977, ~ air-powder polishing has been shown to be an efficient and effective method for removal of stain and plaque. 2 Air-powder polishing systems use air, water, and sodium bicarbonate to deliver a controlled stream that propels specially processed sodium bicarbonate particles to the tooth surface. 3s It has been demonstrated that this increasingly popular technique requires less tihae and less physical exertion by the operator than polishing with a rubber cup and prophylaxis paste. In addition, no heat is generated with this type of system. 2 Studies of the air-powder polishing method have examined its efficacy in stain removal and 2 its effects on soft tissue, 2'6-12 hard tissue, 5a3'~4 and restorative materials. 3'''~6 William et al. ~s found that air-powder polishing treatment imparted a nonuniformly roughened surface to enamel. Atkinson et al. s and Toevs, '4 however, found root surfaces to be smooth after treatment with the air-powder polishing system. Furthermore, this system has been shown to produce some immediate soft tissue trauma. In all of these studies this gingival trauma has been shown to be transient and clinically insignificant. ~7 Although air-powder polishing systems have been shown to be effective, it has been demonstrated that these systems have the potential for removing considerable amounts of resinous restorative materialY ~'16 On the other hand, porcelain, amalgam, and gold alloy restorations generally are not significantly affected. ~a6 However, Barnes and associates did note an erosion of cement from the margin of cast-alloy restorations.3 The purpose of this two-part study, based on studies to date that have shown deleterious effects on resinous materials and cement, was to examine the efficacy and