Which method uses a combination of water and air to clean surfaces in dentistry?

Air polishing is indeed the correct answer as it specifically utilizes a combination of water and air to create a fine mist that cleans dental surfaces. This method uses a specially designed device that sprays a mixture of water, air, and a polishing agent, typically a fine powder, to effectively remove plaque, stains, and debris from the surfaces of teeth.

The advantages of air polishing include its gentle yet effective cleaning action, which can reach areas that are often missed by traditional methods. It is particularly useful for cleaning around orthodontic appliances or other dental restorations.

Other methods mentioned do not employ a combination of water and air in the same manner. Scaling typically involves the use of manual or ultrasonic instruments without the addition of air. Rubber cup polishing uses a rotating rubber cup with a polishing agent but doesn’t utilize water and air together. Manual brushing, while effective for daily dental hygiene, relies solely on the mechanical action of bristles and does not incorporate the aerosolized approach that air polishing offers.