Air abrasion replaces the drill for many of the shallower, newer cavities I find. It and the laser allow me to avoid the needle most of the time. I have been using this technology since July 1999, and have not given a child a shot since I started using it. It is quiet, feels like a little “tingle” sometimes, if you feel it at all. There is NO vibration.
The particle stream can be adjusted to remove only the soft parts of a cavity, and allows me to make a much smaller hole, than the drill makes on these new cavities. I can intervene in the course of tooth decay earlier without having to “tear up” healthy tooth structure to get at the diseased parts. It’s sort of like intervening in cancer treatment at the first positive blood test, rather than waiting until the doctor can feel a tumor with his hands!

There is a little dust in your mouth during the procedure, but it is not very noticeable. It rinses right out.
Since I don’t have to worry about where you are numb after I am finished, I can usually do fillings all over your mouth with no danger of your biting your tongue after you leave. I do this when a person has trouble taking off work for multiple appointments