Biofilm Therapy | Ghina Morad, DMD

What Is Biofilm Therapy?

Guided biofilm therapy is a new special technique used to clean patients’ teeth to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. It is less invasive, more comfortable, and preserves more of the natural tooth structure compared to traditional scaling and polishing.

Guided biofilm therapy is different because it’s gentle and doesn’t require manually scraping off plaque. Instead, a harmless nontoxic dye is applied to the teeth. This dye is used to identify where plaque and tartar are located as it dyes any present calculus, exposing their location and appearing in different colors to reveal how long it has accumulated.

Then, we use a special airflow device known as the Airflow Max which combines heat, water, and fine particles. While biofilm therapy doesn’t completely eliminate the need for scraping away tartar, it greatly minimizes the need for it and it does so more gently, with a smart handle that emits waves.

Ghina Morad, DMD is proud to be the first office certified in biofilm therapy in the peninsula as an EMS office. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Morad.

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How Is Guided Biofilm Therapy Different From Traditional Cleaning?

A traditional prophylaxis cleaning is a routine dental cleaning used to scale and polish your teeth. It is usually done with handheld scrapers or ultrasonic tools that scrape off plaque and tartar buildup from around the gum line and between the teeth.

After this step, the teeth are polished to remove stains and bacteria with gritty toothpaste and a very powerful electric toothbrush. Then, the teeth are flossed. While this method gets the job done, it comes at a cost.

For one, this is a much more invasive manner of cleaning the teeth, often making patients uncomfortable due to the grinding noises or the feeling of tools scraping in their teeth, especially if they have tooth or gum sensitivity.

Benefits of Biofilm Therapy

Biofilm therapy makes teeth cleaning a much more bearable and enjoyable process for patients with special needs, dental anxiety, sensitivity, and special oral appliances. The process of cleaning is much simpler, more comfortable, and less invasive.

Traditional cleaning damages the natural enamel over time because it requires scraping the teeth. It can also cause some pain or discomfort in some patients, especially when there is a significant amount of tartar buildup. Since biofilm therapy can eliminate the need for scraping tools and eliminates cold sensitivity, there is no discomfort involved.

Biofilm therapy will keep your natural teeth intact and it is also very versatile and can be used on the teeth, gums, tongue, tooth restorations, and dentures. Our patients report that their teeth have never felt cleaner after trying biofilm therapy and they describe the process as revolutionary.

What is the Biofilm Therapy Process?

Assess

First, your dentist in Redwood City will assess your oral health by looking for signs of infection in your teeth and gums. We will examine any tooth restorations you have to look for problems with those. You will be given a special mouthwash to rinse with which reduces bacteria.

Identify Plaque & Tartar

We will apply the dye to your teeth which will dye biofilm (plaque) that is present in the mouth. This reveals where it is located and will show up in different shades according to how long the plaque has been there. Once we remove plaque, we can detect tartar more easily.

Motivate & Educate

We will speak to you about the importance of practicing preventative oral hygiene. We will also educate you on how you can care for your teeth and gums at home.

Airflow Max

Now it’s time to use the special airflow device that removes plaque and tartar with a jet of heat, water, and fine particles. Once this is removed, stains will be removed using a special powder.

Perioflow Nozzle

The combination of a special powder and Perioflow nozzle is used to clean around the gum pockets, tooth roots, and implants, without damaging your hard or soft tissues.

Remove Remaining Tartar

If there is any remaining tartar buildup, we will use a special tool called the Piezon PS which can remove tartar in 95% of cases without any pain. This tool can clean both above the gum line and 10mm below the gum line.

Final Check

After we have completed all of these steps, we will do a final check to look for any remaining plaque or tartar that may have been missed. This ensures all of the plaque and tartar have been thoroughly removed. We will also identify any cavities that are present in the teeth and apply a fluoride varnish.

Have questions about Biofilm Therapy? Find answers here.

Why does biofilm cover the teeth?

Biofilm is a naturally occurring phenomenon in the human mouth. It is a sticky, colorless deposit that constantly forms on our teeth and contains bacteria. The formation of biofilm begins when free-floating bacteria in the mouth adhere to the surface of the teeth. Over time, these bacteria multiply and create a layer known as a biofilm. The process is a part of the body's natural ecosystem. However, when not properly managed, biofilm can lead to dental issues such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Will guided biofilm therapy hurt?

Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) is a modern, pain-free treatment for effectively removing biofilm from the teeth. The process uses air, warm water, and a powder to gently and thoroughly clean the teeth. GBT is designed to be comfortable, even for those with sensitive teeth. It's also adjustable, meaning the pressure and intensity can be tailored to each patient's comfort level. While everyone's pain tolerance is different, most patients report that GBT is a painless process.

What happens if I do not remove biofilm?

If biofilm is not regularly and effectively removed, it can harden into tartar, also known as dental calculus. This hardened plaque is much more difficult to remove and can lead to various dental problems. The bacteria in the biofilm produce acids that can damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Over time, the inflammation caused by the bacteria can also cause gum disease, which, if left untreated, can result in tooth loss. Additionally, research has linked poor oral health to systemic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, further emphasizing the importance of regular biofilm removal.

How long will it take biofilm to grow again once I have removed it?

Biofilm begins to form on the teeth almost immediately after cleaning. Within a few hours, it can be felt as a fuzzy layer on the teeth, especially when the tongue is run over them. Within 48 hours, the biofilm starts to harden and after about 10 days, it can turn into tartar if not removed. This is why dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily to disrupt the biofilm and keep the teeth clean. Regular professional cleanings are also crucial as they can remove any tartar that has formed and reach areas of the mouth that may be difficult to clean at home.

find out more about veneers in Redwood City

The veneer placement Process

The process begins with a consultation with Dr. Ghina Morad. She will need to examine your teeth and take x-rays if necessary to determine if you are a good candidate for veneers. You must be in good oral health with no active gum disease or tooth decay.
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Once approved, she will formulate a treatment plan based on your needs. To prepare the teeth for porcelain veneers, we need to remove .5 mm of your tooth enamel so the veneers don’t stick out.
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We’ll then take impressions of your teeth and send them to a dental lab that will create your veneers. While you wait for your veneers to arrive (which can take a few weeks) we will place immediate temporary veneers over your teeth.
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Once we’ve received your official veneers, we’ll remove the temporary ones and apply an etching gel to your teeth to encourage the bonding process. We’ll check the fit of your veneers before bonding them to your teeth with dental cement and UV light.

How to Care for Veneers

Avoid staining foods and drinks and do not smoke. While porcelain is a stain-resistant material, surface stains can build up over time, just like your real teeth. Try sipping through a straw so beverages have less contact with your teeth.
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Do not grind your teeth or use them as tools to open packages. Never chew on your fingernails or other objects. You should also avoid chewing hard or sticky foods with your veneers. Concentrate chewing in your rear molars, not your front teeth.

Are Veneers Reversible?

Traditional porcelain veneers are not reversible, because they require permanently altering your tooth enamel. Should you choose these veneers, you will always have to keep your teeth covered. .5 mm of your enamel is shaven down and this puts your teeth at increased risk of damage, cavities, and infections if not covered.

They will also look very strange without your veneers. However, you can choose reversible composite resin veneers or Lumineers which are not permanent.

Redwood City Biofilm Therapy