Comparing Guided Biofilm Therapy and Traditional Approaches in Professional Dental Hygiene: A Systematic Analysis

Abstract

  Air polishing therapy, utilizing advanced technologies such as erythritol- or glycine-based powders and air-jet devices, is an innovative method for managing oral biofilms without damaging dental surfaces. This systematic review compares Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT), which combines air polishing followed by ultrasonic calculus removal, with conventional oral hygiene methods, such as ultrasonic debridement followed by rubber cup polishing. The analysis focused on reducing biofilm, improving gingival health, enhancing patient comfort, and reducing treatment duration. This study followed the PICO method to formulate a research question. A bibliographic search was conducted using the PubMed and Cochrane databases, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published over the past 10 years. The 2020 PRISMA guidelines were applied, resulting in the selection of six studies published between 2015 and 2025. Only studies that directly compared GBT with conventional methods were included and assessed for methodological quality. The findings indicated that GBT is as effective as traditional methods for reducing oral biofilms. Additionally, GBT improves patient comfort, reduces treatment duration, and is associated with fewer side effects than conventional techniques. Guided Biofilm Therapy represents a promising alternative to conventional oral hygiene methods, offering comparable clinical efficacy with added benefits in terms of patient comfort and treatment efficiency.