A novel biofilm removal approach (Guided Biofilm Therapy) utilizing erythritol air-polishing and ultrasonic piezo instrumentation: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nTo evaluate the effectiveness of biofilm removal of a treatment protocol combining an air-abrasive device using erythritol powder (AIRFLOW®) and an ultrasonic piezon instrumentation (Guided Biofilm Therapy/GBT) compared to the conventional mechanical approach (Scaling and Root Planing/SRP) during supportive periodontal treatment (SPT).\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nFifty patients, scheduled for supportive periodontal treatment at the Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki were randomly assigned to either a GBT (group A: 24 participants) or a SRP (Group B: 26 participants) treatment protocol. Therapeutic interventions and clinical measurements were performed at baseline and repeated at 6 weeks. Oral hygiene instructions were reinforced at each visit. A questionnaire was handed to the participants for evaluation of patient perception of both utilized approaches.\n\n\nRESULTS\nAt 6 weeks, the two groups showed statistically significant reduction in plaque score and in gingival bleeding index compared to baseline. GBT required approximately 15% less chair-time than SRP with a mean difference of 5.1 minutes, which was statically significant (p=0.049). Patient perception was more favorable for GBT than SRP.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nBiofilm removal using erythritol AIRFLOW® and ultrasonic piezo-electric instruments (GBT) can be considered equally efficient compared to the conventional SRP. Moreover, GBT seemed to require shorter treatment time and to exhibit a more favorable patient perception than the conventional approach.