Guided biofilm therapy (GBT) is a method of biofilm management that includes the use of Piezon, Perio-Flow, and Air-Flow technologies. Guided biofilm therapy is also a predictable and systematic method of biofilm management. This method involves the intentional removal of biofilm using a low-abrasive powder.
Guided biofilm therapy is carried out prior to the instrumentation of hard deposits. GBT has emerged as a good method of removing biofilm professionally on oral surfaces. Essentially, guided biofilm therapy involves an eight-step process (01. Assess 02. Disclose 03. Motivate 04. Air-Flow 05. Perio-Flow 06. Piezon 07. Check 08. Recall).
The method capitalizes on the idea that pathogenic biofilm will drive oral disease. As such, it should be removed in the most efficient, most comfortable, and least abrasive way possible. The guided biofilm method involves the removal of biofilm found below and above the gumline before the removal of calcified deposits.
The guided biofilm therapy process is backwards from how most clinicians practice. As soon as the slimy biofilm is removed, it becomes easier to visually see and tactically feel the calcified deposits that remain (if there are any). Removing biofilm from periodontal pockets, exposed roots, hybrid composites, and other vulnerable surfaces will require the use of a low-abrasive and minimally invasive method.
Clinicians need to also ensure that surfaces are not scratched and there is no mineral loss when removing biofilm. Both can cause surfaces to become stain or plaque-retentive. Low-abrasive powders like glycine (most recently, Air-Flow Plus powder with erythritol) has been shown to not create mineral loss or leave scratches.
They are also considered highly effective in the thorough removal of biofilm when used in an Air-Flow device. Low-abrasive powder is also used to replace polishing with brushes or rubber cups as well as abrasive prophy pastes.
Traditionally, clinicians debride biofilm and calculus mechanically using overlapping and repetitive strokes. This is followed by polishing pastes. Guided biofilm therapy is the system that is used to replace the antiquated methods of biofilm management. From the perspective of comfort, guided biofilm therapy is considered ergonomic for clinicians.
GBT is also preferred by patients compared to biofilm management that uses hand or ultrasonic instrumentation. Another enticing benefit of biofilm management through guided biofilm therapy is the efficiency involved when implementing the eight-step system.
Since biofilm is removed from the surfaces early on in the session, the need for repetitive and overlapping strokes using hand instrumentation or power is significantly reduced. In addition, the total debridement time is also reduced. This allows extra time for patient education as well as other additional services.
With guided biofilm therapy, the patient also experiences less mechanical instrumentation but enjoys the optimal results—clean and smooth surfaces. Integration of technologies will not only help save time, it also makes things comfortable and safe for the patient.
