Guided Biofilm Therapy is an evidence-based dental hygiene treatment protocol proven to effectively remove biofilm and hard deposits from the oral cavity. I wanted to see what the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master could offer to my clients. I decided to schedule my local sales representative back in August 2019 to come down to my practice with the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master, so I could see how the technology would work in my hands.
The sales representative brought a portable compressor just in case my dental chairs did not have a ¾ female air connection to connect to the unit. The AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master has an independent water bottle supply or can be connected to city water. I used distilled water in the two 500ml reservoirs to demonstrate the unit. The AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master was set up and calibrated with the AIRFLOW® Powder Plus. A typodont model with artificial calculus was used so I could test the AIRFLOW®. The foot pedal is wireless. This is a nice feature that I liked. After turning the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master on, a button is pressed to pressurize the powder chamber. The pressurization step is good-looking, clean, and screams professional and technical. I used the AIRFLOW® handpiece along the distal buccal of Quad 3 on the typodont. I walked the AIRFLOW® handpiece along the gum line at a 55-degree angle, creating almost smiley-faced slow strokes along the gum line and I was convinced that Guided Biofilm Therapy with the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master is an experience I want to provide all of my clients within my practice.
Three handpieces are required to follow the Guided Biofilm Therapy 8 Steps with the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master.
1. AIRFLOW® Max
2. PERIOFLOW®
3. PIEZON®
The AIRFLOW® Max handpiece is light and easy to use. The AIRFLOW® handpiece does not require any add-on accessories. AIRFLOW® Powder Plus is poured into its chamber from a reusable bottle with a special nozzle to reduce product waste. Once the powder chamber is pressurized, the unit is ready to be used with the AIRFLOW® Max handpiece. The AIRFLOW® Powder Plus has a pleasant, light-sweet taste to it that will surely please even the discerning client.
The PIEZON® handpiece has a bright light that provides the clinician with good illumination. PIEZON® handpiece comes with the standard recommended PS tip. This tip is designed to resemble the periodontal probe. Visualize the access you can achieve during debridement around complex morphology with the periodontal probe design and the comfort your patient will experience! The PIEZON® technology, when used correctly with a healthy PS tip, is clinically proven no-pain. I have experienced the no-pain technology associated with PIEZON® and the PS tip firsthand with periodontal patients in my practice. As an independent dental hygienist, not being able to offer anesthetic, I wanted to be able to offer my patients the most comfortable debridement option. This meant I was initially uncomfortable with the learning curve to transition from other magnetostrictive brands to PIEZON®, but I was willing to be uncomfortable, experience change and learn to be able to hear my clients rave over how the no-pain PIEZON® felt in comparison to other technology.
The PERIOFLOW® uses a disposable nozzle that engages with the tip. These nozzles are purchased in boxes of 40 and are good for 20 sites one-patient use. The disposable tip is used around dental implants and periodontal pockets deeper than 5mm.
I mostly use AIRFLOW® Powder Plus which is an erythritol powder. There is much evidence proving erythritol powder’s benefits to the circumstances in the mouth over the classic baking soda. The Erythritol powder application feels fantastic for the patient in comparison to the classic baking soda and evidence demonstrated it is effective and with less damage to restorative dental work and dental implants.
The AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master has the option of a gorgeous stand to hold the unit. The stand can allow for an extra water reservoir. Purchase the stand if you are considering purchasing the unit. The stand also helps conceal the cords that connect the unit for easy infection-control practices.
The AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master is around $18,000. The unit requires up to three handpieces per client. Depending on how many clients you treat each day and considering sterilization, you will need multiple sets of the three handpieces and tips. The AIRFLOW® handpiece is about $800.00, the PIEZON® LED Handpiece is about $1,500.00 and the PIEZON® handpiece is about $800.00. The PIEZON® handpiece requires a plastic, disposable tip to use; this tip is an additional cost per client. The PIEZON® tips (there is a selection) range from $170.00- $240.00. There is an implant cleaning tip that fits on the PIEZON® LED Handpiece.
Guided Biofilm Therapy and AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master is meant to be used as designed. I don’t recommend using alternatives to create a version of the evidence-based experience. I have clients who call my office and ask if I am using the authentic Guided Biofilm Therapy system and I am proud to say I am! They often ask if I have the PIEZON® handpiece and the gentler powder because the client experienced a blend of other equipment in an attempt to modify the system in other offices and they want to experience the authentic system. Clients are well researched and will know if you are not applying the treatment protocols as recommended.
If you are interested in the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master, I would recommend connecting with an RDH who is using the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master system and schedule to have a GBT debridement appointment! Experiencing GBT with AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master will help you solidify if it is the right choice for your practice.
If you want to learn more about the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master, here are a few resources that I recommend.
1. Visit the EMS website to learn about the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master: https://www.ems-dental.com/en
2. Contact Oral Science and schedule a demonstration with your local sales representative. All of the sales representatives at Oral Science are Registered Dental Hygienists who have demonstration AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master units and have been comprehensively trained. The Oral Science website has information on Guided Biofilm Therapy and the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master www.oralscience.ca/en/
3. Follow my Blog to read more on how I incorporated Guided Biofilm Therapy with the AIRFLOW® Prophylaxis Master into my practice. www.amiebanting.ca
Amie Banting RRDH
