Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate XI · Instrumentation · 10

Polishing and air polishing

Polish selectively, only where stain remains, using the least abrasive paste at low speed with light, intermittent pressure. Coarse pastes damage composite, porcelain, gold and titanium. Sodium bicarbonate air polishing is contraindicated with sodium-restricted diets, hypertension, respiratory and renal disease, while low-abrasion glycine and erythritol powders are safe on roots and implants.

High-yield facts · 7

  1. Selective polishing: polish only teeth with remaining stain, after scaling, using the least abrasive agent that works.T2
  2. Polish at low speed with light, intermittent pressure; flare the cup slightly into the sulcus; keep it moving to avoid frictional heat.T2
  3. Abrasiveness rises with particle size, hardness, pressure, speed and dryness.T2
  4. Avoid coarse pastes on composites, porcelain, gold, titanium, demineralized areas and newly erupted teeth.T2
  5. Sodium bicarbonate air polishing is contraindicated with sodium-restricted diets, hypertension, respiratory disease, renal disease, communicable infections and some metabolic disorders.T2
  6. Glycine (about 25 microns) and erythritol (about 14 microns) powders are low-abrasion and safe on roots and implants.T3
  7. Calcium carbonate and aluminum trihydroxide powders are more abrasive and are used supragingivally only.T2

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.