Is Gum Contouring Right for You?

Gum contouring is a perfect solution for patients who are unhappy with the proportions of their smile. You are an ideal candidate if you experience: A gummy smile where too much gum tissue shows when you smile, short-looking teeth that are of normal length but appear short because they are covered by excess gum tissue, or an uneven gum line where your gum line is asymmetrical, making your teeth appear to be different sizes.

Airflow Cleaning: The Pain-Free Way to remove Stains

What is Airflow Cleaning?

Airflow (often referred to clinically as Guided Biofilm Therapy or GBT) is an advanced hygiene treatment that removes biofilm (plaque bacteria) and surface stains without direct contact from metal tools.

Instead of scraping your teeth, the device projects a controlled stream of:

Air
Warm Water (for comfort)
Fine Powder (usually Erythritol or Glycine)

This "jet wash" knocks away sticky plaque and unsightly stains from coffee, tea, and red wine, reaching deep into pockets and between teeth that brushes can't reach.

Who is Airflow Best For?

Because it is so gentle, Airflow is the gold standard for:

Sensitive Teeth: No cold water or metal scraping means zero "zings" of pain.
Dental Implants: Metal scrapers can scratch implants; Airflow is perfectly safe for titanium and ceramic.
Braces (Orthodontics): The spray easily cleans around brackets and wires where plaque loves to hide.
Stain Sufferers: It is the most effective way to remove heavy smoking or dietary stains without chemical bleaching.

Airflow vs. Traditional Scaling

Traditional scaling uses ultrasonic vibration and hand tools to chip off hard tartar. While effective, it can be uncomfortable.

Airflow focuses on the biofilm—the sticky layer of bacteria that causes gum disease. By removing the biofilm first with Airflow, we reduce the need for aggressive scraping. You spend less time in the chair, and the time you do spend is significantly more comfortable.

The Pros and Cons

The Benefits (Pros)	The Considerations (Cons)
Painless Experience Using warm water and air eliminates the sensitivity and vibration of traditional ultrasonic scalers.	Does Not Remove Hard Tartar If you have old, calcified tartar (calculus), some minor hand scaling may still be required after the Airflow.
Instant Stain Removal It instantly blasts away coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco stains that normal brushing cannot shift.	Cost Because it uses specialized powders and equipment, it is often a private upgrade and may cost more than a standard scale & polish.
Safe for Implants & Veneers The soft powder polishes porcelain and titanium without scratching the surface.	Messy Spray While we use suction, the fine mist can sometimes get on your face (we provide protective glasses and drapes).

The "Guided Biofilm Therapy" (GBT) Protocol: How It Works

Airflow is actually part of a larger, modern cleaning standard called Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT). Here is exactly what happens during your appointmenttep by stepyou know there is nothing to fear.

Step 1: The Reveal (Disclosing)First, we apply a harmless purple dye to your teeth. This might sound strange, but it is a game-changer. The dye stains the "Biofilm" (invisible bacteria) a bright color. This shows you exactly where you are missing when you brush, and it shows us exactly where to clean. There is no guessing.

Step 2: The Airflow Wash: We use the Airflow device to gently wash away the purple dye, the plaque, and the surface stains. It feels like a warm, high-pressure shower for your gums.

Step 3: The "Soft" Scaling: Because the Airflow has already removed 90% of the deposits, we only use the metal scaler for hard tartar that is stuck to the tooth. This reduces the time spent "scraping" by huge margins.

Step 4: The Final Check: We check that all the purple dye is gone. If the purple is gone, the bacteria is gone. You leave with a 100% clean mouth.

Why Patients Choose This Over Standard Cleaning

We surveyed our patients who switched to Airflow, and they refuse to go back to the "old way." Here is why:

The "Teeth Whitening" Bonus: While Airflow isn't a bleaching treatment, it is the ultimate stain remover. It strips away the yellow/brown film from coffee, tea, and tobacco that brushing can't touch. Many patients are shocked at how white their natural teeth look after just one session.
No "Drowning" Sensation: Traditional scalers use cold water that can pool in your throat. Airflow uses a fine, warm mist that is easily managed, making it perfect for patients with a strong gag reflex.
It’s Safer for Your Enamel: Old-school polishing uses a rotating rubber cup and gritty paste (like sandpaper). Over time, this can be abrasive. Airflow uses high-tech powder that is softer than your enamel, polishing it to a high gloss without scratching.

Visual Comparison: The Old Way vs. The Airflow Way

The Old Way

Cold Water: Often causes sensitivity "zings" on gum lines.

Loud Scraping: Heavy use of metal tools and ultrasonic screeching.

Slower Process: Hygienist must manually scrape every tooth surface.

Gritty Paste: Rubber cup polishing leaves a sandy taste in your mouth.

The Airflow Way

Warm Water: Heated water ensures zero sensitivity.

Gentle Mist: A soft spray of powder cleans without the "scraping" sound.

Faster Clean: Biofilm is removed instantly, reducing chair time.

Diamond Gloss: Leaves teeth feeling incredibly smooth and looking brighter.

Is Airflow Right for You?

If you answer "Yes" to any of the following, Airflow is the specific treatment you should request:

Do you have Dental Anxiety? (The lack of noise and vibration reduces panic).
Do you drink coffee, tea, or red wine? (It is the only way to remove these stains from between teeth).
Do you have Crowns, Veneers, or Implants? (It is the safest way to maintain your expensive dental work without scratching it).
Do you wear braces? (It cleans around brackets where toothbrushes fail).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it whiten teeth? Airflow is not a chemical bleach, so it won't change your natural tooth shade. However, by removing dark brown and yellow surface stains, it reveals the natural brightness of your enamel, often making teeth look significantly whiter instantly.

Does it taste bad? In the past, these machines used sodium bicarbonate (salt), which tasted gritty. Modern Airflow uses Erythritol, a sugar alcohol that is actually good for your teeth. It has a sweet taste and a texture as fine as icing sugar.

Is it safe for gums? Yes. In fact, it is safer than scraping. The spray can reach 4mm deep into gum pockets to flush out bacteria without inserting a metal tool, promoting faster healing of gum disease (Gingivitis).

Ready for the Cleanest Teeth of Your Life?

Experience the difference of modern dental hygiene. Once you try Airflow, you will never want to go back to a traditional cleaning again.

Book your Airflow appointment today and leave with a brighter, fresher smile.

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