Kinetic Cavity Preparation

The technique called kinetic cavity preparation uses kinetic energy to remove tooth structure. Air Abrasion (drilless dentistry) a microscopically fine powder is carried to the tooth by a stream of air, gently spraying away decay. In a simple sense, you could say it works like a precise miniature sandblaster.

Thanks to its precision and gentleness, the KCP allows us to treat decay at an earlier stage without as much removal of healthy tooth material, thereby helping to preserve the strength of the tooth. Teeth treated this way may be less likely to require crowns in the future. Smaller fillings are less susceptible to wear and may last longer. The KCP system creates a cavity surface that is so ideal for use with tooth-colored composite fillings, we can place those fillings faster than ever before. In some instances, the KCP actually allows us to complete your treatment in fewer visits.

The aspect of the KCP that many patients appreciate most is its comfort. The KCP system greatly reduces heat and vibrations, two sources of discomfort traditionally associated with fillings. That's why the KCP is often used without anesthetics. This also enhances our ability to treat patients who are pregnant or medically compromised. With the KCP, we can often treat children without the two things they fear most the needle and the drill. But since for some people the KCP may involve minor discomfort, it would be inaccurate to call it "painless".

The tiny particles we use are alpha alumnia, a pure, biocompatible substance long used in medicine and food, In fact, it is a prime ingredient in several popular whitening toothpastes. Only a tiny amount of this microscopically fine powder is actually used in each procedure and most of it is immediately removed by our evacuation system. Scientific tests show that patients would have to undergo about 28 typical 20-30 second KCP procedures in order to inhale enough alpha alumnia to equal the weight of one grain of table salt. The amount inhaled in a single procedure is about 1000 times less than the limit established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Besides tooth-colored fillings, the KCP is very useful in a number of cosmetic procedures such as veneers, inlays and onlays. It also allows us to apply protective sealants in a matter of seconds a time frame even shorter than the attention span of most youngsters.

Not necessarily. Though the KCP will dramatically reduce our overall reliance on the drill, it is not appropriate for every part of every procedure. For example, we will continue to use the drill to remove silver (amalgam) fillings and for crown preparations, Please ask us about the role the DCP might play in your treatment.

A new instrument that can be used as an alternative to the drill in many procedures. Air Abrasion (drilless dentistry) a microscopically fine powder is carried to the tooth by a stream of air, gently spraying away decay. In a simple sense, you could say it works like a precise miniature sandblaster. The KCP system greatly reduces heat and vibrations traditionally associated with fillings. The KCP is very useful in a number of cosmetic procedures such as veneers, inlays and onlays.