Ever heard of dental biofilm? You probably know it as plaque or tartar. It’s the leading cause of cavities and gum disease, which is one reason you go to the dentist twice a year to get it removed. But what if we told you that you could get your teeth cleaned with less picking and scraping?
Guided biofilm therapy (GBT) provides a more comfortable alternative to manual dental tools. It removes plaque and tartar and polishes your teeth with minimal scraping or picking so you can relax and have a good experience.
With patient satisfaction being high on our list of priorities, we are happy to announce that we now offer guided biofilm therapy with EMS Prophylaxis Master Hygiene units. These units provide a more comfortable dental cleaning experience for our patients, and patients tend to see immediate results in the appearance and feel of their teeth.
We explain how guided biofilm therapy works, and its benefits for dental health.
How Does Guided Biofilm Therapy Work?
The EMS Prophylaxis Master Hygiene units use a high-pressure stream of air, water, and powder to remove plaque, tartar, stains, and surface discoloration. Your hygienist will add an ultrafine powder to the stream throughout the cleaning.
These machines have three tools that each perform different tasks. Here’s how they work:
- The AIRFLOW® MAX Handpiece removes plaque, tartar, and stains from natural teeth, implants, and restorations. It also removes biofilm from your tongue, palate, and gums. Used with the AIRFLOW® PLUS Powder, it can remove biofilm in pockets up to 4mm deep.
- The slender nozzle on the PERIOFLOW® Handpiece removes biofilm in pockets between 4mm and 9mm deep. Your dentist can use the AIRFLOW® PLUS Powder with this handpiece on natural teeth with deeper pockets or branching tooth roots, as well as implants.
- If needed, the PIEZON® PS Instrument helps your dentist remove tartar and biofilm in pockets up to 10mm deep. It can be used on natural teeth, implants, and restorations.
The 8-Step Guided Biofilm Therapy Process
Our hygienists follow an eight-step process to remove biofilm and tartar effectively and efficiently.
Step 1: First, you will rinse your mouth with a special mouthwash, and your hygienist will examine your teeth.
Step 2: Next, your hygienist will paint your teeth with a purple gel called a biofilm discloser to make problem areas more visible.
Step 3: Time for questions! Your hygienist might also discuss preventive care, oral hygiene, and products to help manage your oral health.
Step 4: Your hygienist will use the AIRFLOW® MAX to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from the surface of your teeth.
Step 5: Next, the PERIOFLOW® tool removes biofilm from deep beneath your gums.
Step 6: Then, if needed, the PIEZON® PS instrument can remove even the deepest biofilm buildup.
Step 7: Your hygienist will have you smile and do a final check to make sure all biofilm has been removed and to check for cavities.
Step 8: Finally, your hygienist will ask how you feel about your treatment, and you can schedule a follow-up appointment if you like.
The Dental Health Benefits of Guided Biofilm Therapy
Guided biofilm therapy has so many benefits! For example, it makes dental cleanings more efficient, so you spend less time in the chair. The tools are extremely precise, and they remove biofilm more thoroughly than manual tools, helping to prevent cavities and gum disease.
The airflow system is much more gentle than picks and scrapers, so there’s far less discomfort during dental cleanings and less cumulative wear on your teeth over time. There are even five different temperature settings, so you won’t have to worry about sensitivity to hot or cold.
Another benefit is that you can see immediate results. When you get guided biofilm therapy, you will see a noticeable difference in your smile right away. Your teeth will feel cleaner and look brighter. And because of the dye we use for the cleaning, you can see the plaque on your teeth. We will show you this to help you understand why having at least two yearly cleanings is important for your oral health.
Where to Try GBT in South Jordan, Utah
Guided biofilm therapy is the new norm for dental cleanings at Copper Creek Dental. We strive to give our patients the best care possible, and we use the latest dental technology to do it. If you want a comfortable, thorough cleaning without all the scraping from dental hand tools, contact us to schedule an appointment for GBT today.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/20/2024) Image by Thomas G. from Pixabay