EMS Air Flow and Guided Biofilm Therapy: What to Expect

If you dread dental cleanings, you're not alone — but with EMS Air Flow® and guided biofilm therapy, that experience can change. 

At Chelsea Dental Aesthetics in New York City, we’re committed to delivering high-tech care with a gentle touch, and that’s just what you get with EMS Air Flow.

Read on as Dr. David Blaustein explains EMS Air Flow and guided biofilm therapy and what to expect during your cleaning.

How guided biofilm therapy and EMS Air Flow work together

Guided biofilm therapy is a modern dental hygiene approach that targets biofilm — the sticky layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums and contributes to cavities, gum disease, and systemic inflammation.

Guided biofilm therapy uses a nontoxic dye to make biofilm visible to Dr. Blaustein and your hygienist. 

Once revealed, this biofilm is gently removed using EMS Air Flow, a device that combines warm water, air, and a fine powder (erythritol and sodium bicarbonate) to clean your teeth and gums with precision — no scraping, poking, or discomfort.

Benefits of EMS Air Flow and guided biofilm therapy

The combination of EMS Air Flow and guided biofilm therapy does more than a traditional cleaning. You might consider this therapy because you can expect: 

Pain-free cleaning

EMS Air Flow delivers a comfortable, warm, and gentle clean; there’s no scraping with metal tools. The Piezon® system uses advanced ultrasonic technology delivering 32,000 linear oscillations per second. 

That means the instrument tip moves in a smooth, straight line — without any jarring lateral movement — drastically reducing discomfort and eliminating the harsh scraping sensations often associated with traditional cleanings.

Better detection, better results

The disclosing dye highlights harmful biofilm that may otherwise go unnoticed, helping avoid bigger problems down the road.

Effective for implants and orthodontics

Wearers of braces or bridges already know that teeth cleaning requires extra care. EMS Air Flow is great for cleaning around braces, retainers, crowns, bridges, and implants. That’s because the device doesn’t make any contact with your teeth.

Whiter, smoother teeth

Your EMS Air Flow session removes surface stains from coffee, wine, and tobacco without damaging your enamel.

Protects your gum health

Biofilm removal reduces inflammation and lowers the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis.

What to expect

Here’s what you can expect during your EMS Air Flow appointment. 

Step 1: Biofilm disclosure

Dr. Blaustein applies a harmless dye to your teeth that highlights the areas of plaque and biofilm. That helps your hygienist focus on problem areas and shows you where to improve at home.

Step 2: Choose your flavor

We carry several flavors of the erythritol powder. Mint and cherry are fan favorites. 

Step 3: Cleaning with EMS Air Flow

The Air Flow system uses warm water, air, sodium bicarbonate, and erythritol powder to gently remove biofilm, stains, and soft deposits above and below the gum line — even in hard-to-reach areas.

Step 4: Perio Flow® and Piezon treatment, if needed

If you have deeper periodontal pockets or gum disease, we may use additional tools to remove tartar and plaque from below the surface. That’s a big step in addressing gum disease. 

Anything deeper than 3 millimeters is cause for concern. The deeper a periodontal pocket, the more likely it harbors harmful bacteria, leading to inflammation, bone loss, and tooth instability.

Step 5: Polishing and review of your before/after pictures 

We polish and rinse your teeth and share personalized tips to maintain your oral health between visits. Dr. Blaustein also shows you before and after pictures to illustrate the difference just one single 30-minute cleaning makes.

Is guided biofilm therapy and EMS Air Flow right for you?

Whether you're maintaining a healthy smile or managing gum disease, EMS Air Flow and guided biofilm therapy can safely benefit almost everyone — including kids, people with sensitive teeth, and those with dental restorations or orthodontic appliances.

Schedule your next cleaning today and experience a smarter, softer, and more effective approach to dental hygiene. Call our office in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan or request an appointment online.