Device for containing excess abrasive material

A combination of a gas abrasive apparatus and a device for containing excess abrasive material expelled by the apparatus, which combination comprises

• a gas abrasive handpiece for having a nozzle and a source of a pressurized gas abrasive stream directed to the nozzle,
• a collecting chamber for collecting abrasive particles,
• an inlet to the collecting chamber positioned to receive the nozzle of the apparatus,
• an outlet to the collecting chamber positioned to permit the exit of abrasive particles delivered by the nozzle to a surface,
• a containment chamber for containing abrasive particles, which containment chamber is in fluid communication with the collecting chamber,
• a transfer opening positioned between the collecting chamber and the containment chamber for permitting passage of abrasive particles from the collecting chamber to the containment chamber,
• a gas flow outlet from the containment chamber,
• a filtering means associated with the outlet from the containment chamber for retaining abrasive particles within the containment chamber while permitting the gas to exit the containment chamber.

A process for abrading a tooth surface and containing abrasive material, which process comprises abrading the tooth surface with a gas abrasive dental apparatus in combination with a device for containing abrasive material expelled by the device, which device comprises

• a collecting chamber for collecting abrasive particles,
• an inlet to the collecting chamber positioned to receive a nozzle of the apparatus,
• an outlet to the collecting chamber positioned to permit the exit of abrasive particles delivered by the apparatus to a surface,
• a containment chamber for containing abrasive particles, which containment chamber is in fluid communication with the collecting chamber,
• a transfer opening positioned between the collecting chamber and the containment chamber for permitting passage of abrasive particles from the collecting chamber to the containment chamber,
• a gas flow outlet from the containment chamber,
• a filtering means associated with the gas flow outlet from the containment chamber for retaining abrasive particles within the containment chamber while permitting the gas to exit the containment chamber.