GUIDED BIOFILM Therapy IN WAIMEA

Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT): A Kinder, Smarter Way to Clean

Think of a cleaning that leaves your smile feeling incredibly fresh—without the scraping or discomfort. At Waimea Tooth Co., we’re bringing Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) to the Big Island, offering a gentler, more effective way to care for your teeth and gums. At the time this website was written, we are proud to be the only office on the island with a GBT unit, giving our community a new level of clean you won’t find anywhere else on the Big Island.

What Is Guided Biofilm Therapy?

Biofilm—the nearly invisible, sticky layer of bacteria that forms on teeth—is the main cause of cavities, gum disease, and implant infections. Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) is a modern, minimally invasive approach designed to remove biofilm more comfortably and more effectively than traditional scraping.

GBT uses a technology called AirFlow, which delivers a gentle stream of warm water, air, and ultra-fine powder to break up and remove biofilm with minimal contact. Before we begin, we apply a safe “disclosing” solution to make the biofilm visible—this allows us to see exactly where the bacteria are hiding and clean with incredible precision.

Unlike the older methods that rely heavily on metal instruments and vibration, GBT is exceptionally gentle and reaches areas traditional tools often miss.

What Is GBT Used For?

Guided Biofilm Therapy is extremely versatile and elevates every level of hygiene care, including:

Routine Cleanings (Prophylaxis)

For healthy gums, GBT offers a more comfortable, more effective cleaning experience, helping prevent cavities, gum disease, and buildup before it starts.

Deep Cleanings (Scaling & Root Planing)

For patients with gum disease, GBT provides a thorough yet gentle way to reduce inflammation, clean deep pockets, and support natural gum healing—with far less discomfort than traditional methods.

Dental Implant Maintenance

GBT is considered the gold standard for implant care. Its ultra-gentle precision safely removes biofilm around implants to help prevent implant failure and support long-term implant health.

What to Expect During Your GBT Visit

Your visit begins with a harmless disclosing solution that highlights exactly where biofilm exists. From there:

1. AirFlow Cleaning

Warm water, air, and fine powder gently whisk away biofilm, plaque, tartar, and light staining—without scraping.

2. PerioFlow for Gum Pockets

For deeper areas, we use PerioFlow, a specialized tip designed for periodontal therapy. This minimally invasive technology reaches into gum pockets comfortably and preserves the delicate root surface (cementum).

3. Piezon Ultrasonic Technology (When Needed)

For very deep periodontal pockets or firmly attached tartar, the Piezon ultrasonic system gently removes buildup with precision and without the discomfort of older “gritty” ultrasonic tools. It can also safely clean around implants up to 3 mm below the surface.

GBT often reveals early decay or inflammation that may have been hidden by plaque—allowing for earlier, easier treatment. After your cleaning, we’ll apply fluoride if appropriate and give personalized recommendations to keep your smile healthy between visits.

Benefits of Guided Biofilm Therapy

Patients consistently love GBT for its comfort and results. Benefits include:

✦ Exceptional gentleness on gums, teeth, and dental work
✦ Removal of up to 95% of deposits above and below the gumline
✦ One-step cleaning and polishing, no separate gritty paste
✦ A disclosing step that makes the cleaning incredibly precise
✦ A noticeably fresher, cleaner feeling—often better than any traditional cleaning
✦ A more effective, more modern hygiene experience overall