Preventive Care
Touchless Airflow Cleaning (GBT) in Gloucester, Ottawa
A cleaning method that uses warm water, air and a fine powder in place of much of the scraping. Some patients find it more comfortable than a conventional scale and polish.
- Accepting new patients
- 1942 Montreal Road, Gloucester
About the Treatment
What Is Touchless Airflow Cleaning?
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) is a set order of steps for a dental cleaning. A dye makes the plaque visible so the cleaning is guided by what can be seen, then a stream of warm water, air and fine powder lifts plaque and surface staining away.
Hand instruments are still used where hardened tartar needs them, but far less than in a conventional scale and polish. Because there is less scraping and vibration, some patients who find cleanings uncomfortable prefer this method. Whether it suits you depends on how much hardened tartar is present.
The nozzle can reach into gum pockets, around implants and between crowded teeth. The airflow unit is made by EMS Dental, the company that developed the GBT protocol.
Who It Suits
When an Airflow Cleaning May Suit You
Situations where patients often ask about airflow cleaning. Your dentist can advise whether it suits you at your next hygiene appointment.
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Finding cleanings uncomfortable
You find conventional scaling unpleasant.
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Sensitive teeth
Some patients with sensitive teeth prefer less scraping.
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Surface staining
Stain from coffee, tea, wine or tobacco.
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Braces, implants or crowns
Dental work that is fiddly to clean around.
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Hard-to-reach areas
Gum pockets or crowded teeth that a brush and floss miss.
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Due for a hygiene visit
Your regular cleaning appointment is coming up.
Benefits
Benefits of Airflow Cleaning
What airflow cleaning involves compared with a conventional scale and polish.
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Less Scraping
Air, warm water and powder replace hand scaling for much of the clean.
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Plaque Made Visible
A dye shows where plaque is, so cleaning is guided by what can be seen.
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Lifts Surface Stain
Helps remove stain from coffee, tea, wine and tobacco.
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Single-Use Tips
Tips and powder are single-use for each patient.
What to Expect
How an Airflow (GBT) Cleaning Works
The steps of a Guided Biofilm Therapy cleaning at our Gloucester office.
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Check First
We examine your teeth and gums and check whether airflow cleaning suits you, including around any implants, crowns, veneers or braces.
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Making Plaque Visible
A dye is applied so the plaque can be seen.
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Airflow Cleaning
A stream of air, water warmed to around body temperature and fine powder lifts plaque and surface stain away.
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Tartar Where Needed
Hand instruments are used only where hardened tartar needs them.
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Final Check and Advice
We check the teeth are clean and talk through brushing and cleaning between your teeth at home.
How Airflow GBT Works
A short look at how an airflow cleaning is carried out, step by step.
Touchless Airflow Cleaning FAQs
Common questions about airflow cleaning. For anything else, call 613-321-0265.
How is airflow cleaning different from ordinary scaling?
Airflow cleaning uses a stream of air, warm water and fine powder in place of hand scaling for much of the appointment. Hand instruments are still used where hardened tartar needs them, but far less than in a conventional scale and polish.
Is airflow cleaning more comfortable?
Because there is less scraping and less vibration than a conventional scale, some patients who find cleanings uncomfortable prefer this method. Whether it suits you depends on how much hardened tartar is present.
Can it be used around crowns, implants or braces?
It can be used around gum tissue, implants, crowns, veneers and braces, and the nozzle can reach into gum pockets and between crowded teeth. Your dentist will check first.
Does airflow cleaning whiten teeth?
No. It helps lift surface staining from coffee, tea, wine and tobacco, so it removes stain rather than changing the natural colour of the tooth. For that, see teeth whitening.
Can I use my insurance or CDCP for this treatment?
Call us on 613-321-0265 about CDCP, IFHP or workplace insurance and we will explain what applies to you. What is covered depends on your own plan. We give you an estimate before any work begins.
Contact & Booking
Book an Airflow Cleaning in Gloucester
We will check first whether airflow cleaning suits you, and explain what your visit will involve and cost before we begin.
- Accepting new patients
- Estimate before treatment
- Ask about CDCP, IFHP & workplace insurance
Ogilvie Dental · Dr. Kohila Kandasamy & Associates · General dental practice
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Call Us
613-321-0265To book or ask a question.
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Visit Us
1942 Montreal Road
Gloucester, ON K1J 6N2 Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab) -
Email Us
info@ogilviedental.comFor non-urgent questions.
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Office Hours
Office hours Monday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Saturday By Appointment Sunday Closed Hours can change around public holidays, so please call ahead.