Air-Powder Polishing
Also written as: APP — Air-Powder Polishing
A stain-removal and biofilm-disruption technique that directs a pressurised stream of water, air, and abrasive powder onto tooth and soft-tissue surfaces.
Full Definition
Air-powder polishing (APP) uses a specially designed handpiece to deliver a slurry of air, water, and abrasive particles — most commonly sodium bicarbonate, glycine, or erythritol powders — against tooth, implant, and soft-tissue surfaces. Different powder formulations are selected based on abrasivity requirements: sodium bicarbonate for heavy stain on enamel, and low-abrasive glycine or erythritol powders for subgingival biofilm management around implants and in periodontal pockets. Editors must hyphenate 'air-powder' consistently when used as a compound modifier, and distinguish the technique from conventional rubber cup polishing. It is also known as 'air polishing' or 'airflow polishing' in some commercial and clinical contexts.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate 'air-powder' as a compound modifier before a noun. Note that powder choice (glycine vs. sodium bicarbonate) changes the clinical indication and must be specified precisely in clinical writing.
In Context
- "Air-powder polishing with a glycine powder was the preferred method for subgingival biofilm disruption at the implant maintenance visit." — Implant maintenance protocol document
- "The manuscript alternated between 'air polishing' and 'air powder polishing'; standardise to hyphenated 'air-powder polishing' throughout." — Research manuscript editing