Air polishing on anterior teeth uses what angulation?

• A. 50°
• B. 60°
• C. 70°
• D. 90°

Answer: (B)

For air polishing, the angle of the nozzle relative to the tooth surface governs both how effectively the abrasive actually cleans and how safe the procedure is for soft tissues. On anterior teeth, directing the spray at about 60 degrees to the facial enamel surface gives a clean, controlled contact that shears off plaque and stains without blasting the gingival margin or causing abrasion to delicate tissues. If the nozzle is too shallow (around 50 degrees), the spray may skim the surface and be less effective while increasing spray dispersion toward soft tissue. If it’s too steep (70–90 degrees), the jet hits more perpendicularly, which raises the risk of soft tissue irritation and can be harder to maintain gentle contact along the contours of the anterior teeth. The 60-degree angle thus represents a practical balance for safe and effective anterior tooth polishing.