**Acknowledgements**

Air abrasion was found suitable for diagnosing fissural caries and conditioning occlusal surfaces prior to sealant application. The results after 6 months evaluation demonstrated sealant retention in 83% of treated teeth [24]. Also, sealant retention rate was higher when applied to sound pits and fissures prepared by air abrasion and acid etching than in those prepared only by acid etching, at evaluations made after 6, 12, and 24 months following application [25]. However, another study found no statistical difference in sealant retention degree after tooth preparation by acid etching or air abrasion at 1-, 2-, and 5-year evalua‐

Proceedings of the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Studies (ICIS 2016) - Interdisciplinarity and Creativity

Shear bond strength of various materials applied to enamel after air abrasion was another topic investigated. Thus, Ellis et al. [27] assessed shear bond strength of sealants applied to enamel surfaces prepared by air abrasion, with and without etching with 35% phosphoric acid. Their results demonstrated that shear bond strength was greater when air abrasion was associated

Wright et al. [28] evaluated microleakage produced at tooth-sealant interface in three different situations: pits and fissures prepared by rotary instruments and acid etching; air abrasion preparations; and dental sealants applied after acid etching. The least microleakage appeared

Borsatto et al. [29] assessed enamel shear bond strength in teeth treated by acid etching (15 seconds with 37% phosphoric acid) or by air abrasion or by combining the two methods. Survey findings were that air abrasion could not substitute acid etching, their association being

Abraham et al. [30] made a review of research made on nondrill methods (air abrasion, laser, and chemomechanical method) and their efficacy in treating dental decay. The study conclu‐ sions were that the alternative techniques were not superior to dental burs in removing carious lesions, although having the advantage of preserving more sound dental tissue. The duration of nondrill interventions is increased as compared to bur preparations but patients tolerate them better, especially because of the lack of pain, thus being especially useful in children and anxious patients. Other conclusions referred to the need of exercising nondrill methods on extracted teeth before being applied to patients and to the higher costs of equipment acquisi‐

More studies are needed in order to assess all the aspects that concern the use of nondrill

**1.** In order to assess the practical use of air abrasion with Bio-Art microblaster, the occlusal pits and fissures of 14 extracted teeth were prepared, followed by 6 clinical cases.

**2.** Air abrasion preparation of pits and fissures when the caries diagnosis is uncertain may lead to removal of organic debris, leaving rough enamel capable of providing adequate

tions [26].

with acid etching.

in the Knowledge Society

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needed for best results.

methods.

**6. Conclusions**

in bur preparation, followed by acid etching.

tion, compared to conventional rotary handpieces.

We thank Dr. Marius Mariş for providing assistance in the clinical case of using air abrasion in view of improving orthodontic retainer adhesion.
