Glossary entry
Air Polishing
Also called: Airborne particle polishing
Air polishing is a dental cleaning technique that uses pressurized air, water, and a fine powder to remove biofilm and surface stains from teeth and implants.
What is air polishing?
Air polishing is a dental prophylaxis technique in which a controlled mixture of compressed air, water, and a fine abrasive or soluble powder is propelled through a handpiece nozzle against the tooth or implant surface. The impact and dissolution of the powder particles disrupts biofilm and lifts surface staining.
Modern air polishing uses low-abrasive powders — most commonly erythritol, glycine, or sodium bicarbonate — selected according to the clinical indication and location (supragingival, subgingival, around implants, or on natural dentition).
When is it used?
Air polishing is used for:
- Biofilm removal prior to periodontal instrumentation
- Supragingival stain removal (tobacco, coffee, wine, chlorhexidine)
- Subgingival biofilm disruption in maintenance patients
- Peri-implant maintenance (with glycine or erythritol only — sodium bicarbonate is contraindicated on titanium)
- Orthodontic cleaning around brackets and wires