An in-vitro investigation of the effects of variable operating parameters on alumina air-abrasion cutting characteristics.

Air-abrasion is a tooth preparation technology developed in the 1940s that is currently gaining popularity due to its compatibility with adhesive restorations. Variables, including propellant pressure, powder flow rate, nozzle angle and distance to the tooth surface abrasion time, can affect the cutting rate of the air-abrasion unit. A static setup and a more clinically realistic dynamic experimental setup have been used to assess the effect of these parameters of the cutting rate on an enamel analogue. By keeping each parameter fixed, its effect on the cutting rate was examined. The results showed that increasing the propellant pressure (20-100 PSI) caused an almost linear increase in the cutting rate in both setups. Increasing the powder flow rate (0.5 - 3 g/minute) concurrently increased the powder flow and caused an increase in the cutting rate but with a plateau differing for the different propellant pressures. The nozzle angles producing the highest cutting rates were 60 degrees and 75 degrees for static and dynamic cutting, respectively, with smaller and larger angles producing lower rates. Increasing abrasion time in static cutting and the nozzle advancement rate in dynamic cutting both caused an increase in the cutting rate. These findings are relevant for both clinicians, who might wish to alter the cutting rate of their instrument, and researchers, who should always control the numerous parameters in studies involving air-abrasion in order to control the variables, which can influence the end effect of air-abrasion.