Dental plaque, also known as biofilm in mouth, develops in the mouth due to poor oral hygiene practices and, for many years, it’s been known that this can lead to cavities and periodontal disease. However, recent research has found that it also may be related to approximately 200 systemic and oral diseases, according to the American Dental Association. Some of these diseases include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Osteoporosis
- Renal disease
- Pulmonary disorders
- Alzheimer’s disease
This is why visiting the dentist every 6 months for an exam and cleaning is critical for your oral and overall health. Unfortunately, traditional cleaning can be messy and difficult, but Legacy Dental is now offering a better way: Guided Biofilm Therapy, or GBT.
GBT is a revolutionary alternative to traditional dental cleanings that uses special tools and techniques to target harmful plaque build-up or Biofilm in mouth. In this article, we’ll explain more about this process and how it can be beneficial for keeping your teeth clean and oral biofilm under control.
Guided Biofilm Therapy, or GBT, is an alternative to traditional tooth cleaning. This is an 8-step process designed to remove plaque and clean teeth. Instead of using rubber cups, abrasive pastes, and brushes, this technique uses powder and airflow technology to remove biofilm more kindly, thoroughly, and efficiently.
Benefits of Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) for Biofilm in Mouth?
GBT utilizes modern technology to clean teeth, replacing obsolete metal tools and abrasive pastes that can damage dental restorations and cause irritation to gums and soft tissues in the mouth.
Some of the top benefits of GBT include:
- Safe for all ages, including pediatric patients
- Prevents cavities
- Safe, pain-free
- Preserves healthy teeth
- Non-abrasive, won’t damage restorations or irritate gums and soft tissues
- Reduces treatment times
- More comfortable and non-invasive
Who can benefit from GBT?
GBT is an appropriate option for most patients, including children and seniors, those with dental restorations, those with dental anxiety and sensitivities, and so many more. You will want to discuss this option with the dental team to determine if it is right for you.
There are 8 steps involved in GBT:
Initial Examination
GBT starts with an exam. The dentist will screen for cavities, as well as signs of gingivitis and gum disease. If there are dental implants, they will also screen for signs of peri-implantitis. Once this is complete, the cleaning will begin.
Disclosure
The patient will be given EMS Biofilm Discloser, which is a purple-tinted mouthwash. The patient will rinse with it for 40 seconds. It will make the plaque more visible so that it is easy to remove. By thoroughly removing the plaque, it’s easier to see evidence of tartar buildup.
Hygiene Discussion
The hygienists will then work with you to show you the areas that you may be missing in your home care. The best way to ensure that you clean your teeth well is with an interdental brush and air flosser. Once plaque and tartar have accumulated, it must be professionally removed.
Airflow Therapy
The next step is to remove plaque buildup on the teeth, soft tissue, and tongue with a powder and air polisher. The powder is safe to use on both artificial and natural teeth and will also remove stains/discoloration.
Perioflow Cleaning
The dentist will then use powder and a Perio Flow nozzle to clean the gum tissue, including deep gum pockets, interdental spaces, and dental implant surfaces.Â
Piezon Scaling
Finally, the dentist will use Piezon Scaling with water to remove tartar buildup. This is a pain-free scaling method that prevents damage to dental restorations including implants and crowns.
Post Procedure checkup
Once all of the above is complete, the dentist will check to ensure that all plaque and tartar buildup has been removed and cavities/tooth decay properly diagnosed. A fluoride gel will be applied, which will protect the teeth.
Finalization
Finally, the dental team will ensure that you are pleased with the treatment and schedule your next visit. We hope that this experience will encourage you to maintain your routine visits.
Legacy Dental in Salt Lake City is the first dental clinic in Utah to become certified in Guided Biofilm Therapy, or GBT. This is an innovative method for targeting harmful plaque and tartar buildup in the mouth.Â
GBT offers many benefits, including:
- Preventing bacteria, plaque, and tartar build up
- Improving oral hygiene
- Reducing the risk of gum disease and other diseases/conditions
- Improving the appearance of teeth and gums
- Improving oral and overall health
GBT is a much more comfortable approach to cleaning than traditional methods. If you want to learn more about GBT and other services offered by the team at Legacy Dental, visit our website. You can click here to learn more about Guided Biofilm Therapy.
The team at Legacy Dental is committed to providing patients with high-quality, modern approaches to dental care. We believe that by bringing GBT to our clinic, we are continuing this tradition.
According to the experts, you should visit the dentist every 6 months for a thorough exam and cleaning. This will keep your oral health in check, preventing oral and overall health issues, and allowing the dentist to treat issues early before they escalate into something more serious.
Schedule your preventive care visit with the team at Legacy Dental today. We are located at 1345 East 3900 South, Suite 116 in Salt Lake City. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
We also offer extended service on Saturday to allow patients who are unable to take off work to get the treatment they need.
In addition to preventive services, we offer a variety of other dental services including general, cosmetic, and restorative treatments. We work with patients of all ages from pediatrics to seniors. We look forward to working with you to improve and protect your smile.
