GBT Dental Cleaning

1. Step 01

   Initial Assessment

   Complete anamnesis, medical and dental history, periodontal disease risk factor assessment.

2. Step 02

   Clinical Examination

   Visual inspection of teeth and gums, periodontal probing (if needed), evaluation of restorations and implants.

3. Step 03

   Diagnosis

   Classification of gingival health status, identification of problem areas, personalized treatment plan.

4. Step 04

   GBT Cleaning

   Complete 8-step protocol with AIRFLOW®, PERIOFLOW®, and PIEZON® technologies.

5. Step 05

   Education and Motivation

   Personalized oral hygiene instruction, technique demonstration, product recommendations.

6. Step 06

   Recall Planning

   Scheduling next appointment based on your individual risk profile (3-6 months).

• Gum Inflammation

  Accumulated biofilm triggers gingivitis, causing bleeding gums, persistent bad breath, and increased tooth sensitivity.

• Progressive Gum Disease

  Untreated inflammation develops into periodontitis, with irreversible gum recession and periodontal pockets forming around teeth.

• Tooth Loss

  Advanced gum disease destroys the bone supporting your teeth, eventually leading to loosening and tooth loss requiring implants or dentures.

• Systemic Health Risks

  Oral bacteria can enter your bloodstream, increasing risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and pregnancy issues.

• Smile Appearance

  Visible tartar buildup, yellow staining, and receding gum lines age your smile and affect your confidence in social situations.

• Rising Treatment Costs

  What starts as a simple cleaning can escalate to root canals, extractions, and costly implants when oral health is neglected.

GBT — An "I Feel Good" experience

What is Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)?

GBT (Guided Biofilm Therapy) is a revolutionary oral hygiene protocol developed by EMS in Switzerland. Unlike traditional scaling that scrapes teeth, GBT uses an 8-step system that first makes biofilm visible with dye, then gently removes it with AIRFLOW® technology — a warm water jet with erythritol powder. It's more comfortable, more effective, and safer for your teeth, gums, implants, and dental work.

What are the 8 steps of the GBT protocol?

The GBT protocol follows 8 systematic steps: 1) Assess - examine the mouth to check gum health; 2) Disclose - apply dye that makes biofilm visible; 3) Motivate - we show areas you're missing when brushing and give personalized guidance; 4) AIRFLOW® - gentle biofilm removal with warm water and erythritol powder; 5) PERIOFLOW® - cleaning of deep periodontal pockets (when needed); 6) PIEZON® - removal of residual tartar with low-vibration ultrasonics; 7) Check - confirmation that all biofilm and tartar have been removed; 8) Recall - scheduling the next appointment based on your individual risk.

What's the difference between GBT and traditional cleaning?

The difference is significant: traditional cleaning mainly uses manual curettes and aggressive ultrasonics that scrape directly on teeth, which can cause discomfort and enamel damage. GBT reverses the approach — it first removes biofilm gently with AIRFLOW® (air + warm water + erythritol powder), leaving residual tartar exposed and easy to remove with precision ultrasonics. Result: less time in the chair (5 seconds per tooth vs 30-60 seconds), less discomfort, less tissue damage, and a more thorough cleaning.

What is the erythritol powder used in AIRFLOW®?

Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol derived from plant sources, used in AIRFLOW® PLUS powder. Its particles are extremely fine (14 microns — 2x smaller than glycine) and 37% harder, making it more effective at removing biofilm and stains while being less abrasive to tissues. Additionally, erythritol has proven antibacterial properties — it inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. It's safe for use on natural teeth, implants, ceramics, composites, and orthodontics.

Is GBT painful?

No — GBT is known for being virtually painless. Most patients describe the sensation as "a warm water jet with a sweet taste." There's no aggressive scraping, and the water used is heated for greater comfort. Patients with tooth sensitivity or anxiety who avoided traditional cleanings report excellent tolerance to GBT. It's especially recommended for those with dental fear, sensitive gums, or previous negative experiences with scaling.

What is biofilm and why is it important to remove it?

Biofilm is an organized community of bacteria that forms on teeth, gums, and tongue. It's virtually invisible to the naked eye but is the main cause of cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, and bad breath. It forms constantly and, if not removed regularly, matures and becomes more resistant. Over time, it mineralizes forming tartar (calculus), which can only be removed professionally. GBT uses biofilm disclosing agents to make it visible, ensuring complete removal and showing patients the areas they need to improve when brushing.

How often should I have GBT?

Frequency is personalized based on your individual risk: low-risk patients (good hygiene, no gum disease) — every 6-12 months; moderate risk (gingivitis, rapid tartar buildup) — every 4-6 months; high risk (periodontitis, diabetes, smokers) — every 3-4 months. During your appointment, we assess your profile and recommend the ideal interval. GBT's preventive approach means that, over time and with improved home hygiene, many patients can extend their appointment intervals.

Is GBT safe for implants and dental work?

Yes — GBT is ideal for implants, crowns, veneers, bridges, and orthodontic appliances. Erythritol powder is much less abrasive than traditional methods, being safe for ceramics, composites, and titanium implant surfaces. For implants, studies show GBT is more effective at preventing and treating peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implant) than conventional methods. For orthodontics, it easily removes biofilm around brackets and wires, areas difficult to clean manually.

How long does a GBT session take?

A complete GBT session takes 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the amount of biofilm and tartar to remove. However, the active working time on teeth is significantly less than in traditional scaling — only 5 seconds per tooth with AIRFLOW® vs 30-60 seconds with hand instruments. The extra time is dedicated to assessment, biofilm disclosure, patient education, and final verification — elements that make GBT more effective long-term.

Why do I see my biofilm colored during GBT?

The disclosing dye is an essential part of the GBT protocol. Since biofilm is nearly invisible to the naked eye, the dye (usually pink or purple) makes it visible, allowing: complete and verifiable removal; identification of areas you're missing when brushing; motivation to improve home hygiene; confirmation that cleaning was thorough. Different colors may indicate new biofilm (pink) vs old biofilm (blue/purple). The dye is completely safe, comes off easily during treatment, and doesn't stain teeth.

Who cannot have GBT?

GBT is safe for the vast majority of patients, but there are some contraindications: severe respiratory diseases (uncontrolled severe asthma, advanced COPD); advanced chronic kidney disease; known allergies to powder ingredients (erythritol); patients who cannot breathe through their nose during the procedure. For pregnant women, it's safe and recommended, as gum health is crucial during pregnancy. If you have any medical conditions, please inform us so we can assess if GBT is suitable for you.

What should I do after GBT?

After GBT, you can eat and drink normally. Simple recommendations: avoid highly staining foods and drinks (coffee, red wine, beets) in the first 24-48 hours if you had polishing; maintain your routine of brushing 2x daily with a soft brush; use dental floss or interdental brushes daily; follow the personalized recommendations we gave during the session. The "smooth and clean teeth" effect lasts several weeks. With good home hygiene, you'll maintain results longer.