Ideal for Sensitive Teeth
Often, you may experience some sensitivity while your teeth are being professionally cleaned. The majority of the time, this sensitivity is caused by the ultrasonic scaler (the shaking feeling) using cold water on your teeth. This cold water and vibrating sensation are required to remove the hard tartar buildup on your teeth. With this new Airflow technology, the water that is used can be warmed up to 40 degrees Celsius, reducing the sensitivity you may experience.
In conjunction with the warm water reducing the sensitivity, the Airflow uses a separate tool which will remove the majority of biofilm (bacteria) reducing the time needed to scale the teeth with the ultrasonic scaler. This tool uses a combination of a fine powder, air and water to remove the bacteria on the teeth. This replaces the need to polish the teeth with a rubber cup and gritty paste and is also much more effective and comfortable.
What Is Involved With an Airflow Clean?
To begin with, the principle that this new technique of cleaning is based around is called Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT). GBT involves painting a harmless coloured dye on the teeth which physically stains the bacteria in three different colours as seen in the photos below.
The pink staining is bacteria that has only been on the tooth surface for roughly 24 hours. The dark blue staining is bacteria that has been on the tooth surface for longer than 24 hours.
The light blue staining is acid-producing plaque which has a high risk of causing cavities.
Removing Bacteria
Once this dye is applied to the teeth, your clinician will provide oral hygiene instruction in the areas where you may need to pay more attention to when cleaning.
After this, the Airflow machine will be used to remove all the stains which in turn removes all the biofilm.
Once the biofilm is removed, if there is any remaining tartar build up, the ultrasonic scaler can be used.
Advantages of EMS Airflow
To begin with, the principle that this new technique of cleaning is based around is called Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT). GBT involves painting a harmless coloured dye on the teeth which physically stains the bacteria in three different colours.
- More comfortable clean
- More effective clean
- Reduction in cleaning time
- Use of warm water (up to 40 degrees Celsius)
- Reduction in the time needed using the ultrasonic scaler
- Better ‘clean’ feeling afterwards
Disadvantages
- Slightly more water is used