GBT: The New Standard for Professional Teeth Cleaning
For decades, dental cleaning involved enduring scraping, buzzing, water sprays, and polishers. It was effective, but hardly the most pleasant thing to endure. For many, the mere thought of a dental cleaning still retains the sting of pain or the sense that something was being “scrubbed off.” But that’s starting to change. And much of the reason for the change is Guided Biofilm Therapy, or GBT.
What is Guided Biofilm Therapy?
Guided Biofilm Therapy is an evidence-based, minimally invasive method of professional teeth cleaning. Unlike older techniques that were primarily dependent on mechanical scraping, GBT employs specialized equipment to identify and eradicate biofilm with greater accuracy, greater comfort, and much less guesswork.
Biofilm is the tacky film of bacteria that accumulates on teeth and gums. It’s not merely plaque accumulation—it’s what causes cavities, gum infection, bad breath, and more. It’s usually invisible. And that’s where GBT begins to get things different.
The Disclosing Agent: The Beginning
GBT starts with applying a distinctive dye that makes biofilm stand out. The dye stains the otherwise invisible bacteria into colored zones—making it simpler for the dentist and patient alike to see precisely where the areas of concern are. It’s not all about cleaning things up. It’s about illustrating where things need attention before they become issues.
When the biofilm is exposed, the cleaning becomes specialized. That is, no over-cleaning of healthy tissue or failure to remove hidden bacteria. It’s tailored and more precise.
AIRFLOW®: What Replaces the Scraping
After biofilm has been detected, AIRFLOW® technology removes it. AIRFLOW® is a blend of warm water, air, and an extremely fine powder. This blend gently removes bacteria, stains, and early calculus deposits. It’s effective, not abrasive, and penetrates deep into the spaces between the teeth and gums—areas that manual instruments can’t quite reach.
The procedure is not only relaxing, but it’s also ideal for sensitive patients, implants, crowns, veneers, and braces. This makes it a better choice for more individuals than conventional devices.
PERIOFLOW® and PIEZON®: Extending the Reach
In more advanced cases or in deeper gum pockets, two other devices—PERIOFLOW® and PIEZON®—come to the rescue. PERIOFLOW® deans underneath the gum using the same air-water-powder method, and PIEZON® uses ultrasonic to break up tougher deposits without pressure.
The result? Less aggravation, less chance of gum injury, and less time in the chair.
Why It Matters Now
Dentistry has always been about prevention, but GBT provides a more defined road to it. Traditional cleanings always succeeded, but with a compromise—patient discomfort, at times unsatisfactory results, and no insight as to what really was being descaled.
With GBT, dentists are able to monitor the progress of removal of biofilm in real time. That visual reinforcement enables patients to better understand their oral hygiene and encourages improved home care. It enables dentists, too, to develop more effective treatment plans without necessarily depending on symptoms alone or assumptions.
And in an era when safety and hygiene are of the utmost concern, the lessening of the necessity for aerosol-generating procedures during GBT makes it a cleaner, more controlled atmosphere for both the patient and the practitioner.
Who Should Consider GBT?
Guided Biofilm Therapy is suitable for most people. It’s especially helpful for:
- Individuals with gum disease or those who are susceptible to it
- Children and older patients with sensitive teeth or gums
- Patients with dental implants, crowns, or orthodontic appliances
- People seeking a less painful alternative to traditional cleanings
GBT is also beneficial for patients who have stayed away from regular visits due to fear or discomfort in the past. Because the procedure is less painful and less invasive, it can turn routine check-ups into something to be anticipated, not feared.