A controlled stream of air, water and sodium bicarbonate, which passes through a mixing nozzle to allow polishing of the enamel of the tooth. Sodium bicarbonate is a mild polishing agent. Air polishing should be differentiated from air abrasion, which uses an aluminium dioxide abrasive to remove tooth structure prior to the placement of restorations.

Like many things in dentistry, air polishing has changed since the late 1970s. There are several new dental air polisher designs and new abrasive powders, and we now have the ability to use air polishers subgingivally. Sodium bicarbonate was the original abrasive powder used, but newer abrasive powders include glycine, calcium carbonate, calcium sodium phosphosilicate, aluminum trihydroxide, and erythritol. These additional powders give us more choices for our patients' individual needs.

The benefits of air polishing for the dental professional include less operator fatigue, less time involved than the traditional polishing technique, and improved access to difficult-to-reach areas. Benefits to the patient include less time in the portable folding chair, less "scraping," excellent stain removal, reduced dentin hypersensitivity, and improved periodontal status.