Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
Experimental Protocol to Investigate Particle Aerosolization of a Product Under Abrasion and Under Environmental Weathering
Published on: September 16, 2016
An in vitro evaluation of the efficiency of an air-abrasion system using helium as a propellant
George Paolinelis1, Avijit Banerjee, Timothy F Watson
1Departments of Biomaterials and Conservative Dentistry, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's Hospital, KCL, London, UK.
Objectives:
Helium is currently used as a propellant gas for air-abrasion with manufacturer claims that this affords greater cutting efficiency compared to the use of air as a propellant. Higher cutting rates, when desired, can reduce operative times. This study set out to investigate these claims by comparing the rate at which helium propelled air-abrasion cut a standard enamel analogue, Macor, versus that of standard air propelled air-abrasion at different propellant pressures.
Methods:
An enamel substitute, Macor, was used as the substrate in order to enable a greater control of physical variables. Powder flow rate, air abrasion nozzle distance and angle to the enamel substitute were constant throughout the experiments. The cutting efficiency of air and helium with propellant pressures of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100PSI were dynamically investigated, attempting to replicate clinical use.
Results:
Helium air-abrasion was significantly more efficient in cutting the enamel analogue at all pressures, with a 40% increase for 100PSI propellant pressure.
Significance:
This finding suggests that air-abrasion units using helium as a propellant will be able to cut enamel more quickly in the clinical setting.
