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CASE PRESENTATION Step 2 – Disclosing
A 50-year-old healthy male with no oral risk habits such as smoking The cheeks and lips were retracted using “Optragate” - a soft,
or tobacco use presented to the clinic. He had undergone multiple flexible retractor that moves the soft tissues away from the teeth,
dental treatments in the past. Despite regular six-monthly scaling allowing better visibility and access. A two-tone EMS disclosing
and prophylaxis, he presented with extremely poor oral hygiene. agent (erythrosine) was gently applied to all the teeth surfaces to
Dental implants were placed in the regions of 26 and 46. expose the invisible biofilm. It was immediately rinsed off using the
Airflow Max handpiece, with the power setting at zero.
Step 1 – Clinical assessment
Pocket depths:
#13 - 13mm Distobuccal, 5mm Mesiolingual
#14 - 5mm Mesiolingual
#15 - 5mm Distobuccal
#16 - 6mm Mesiolingual
#17 - 6mm Midlingual.
Fig 4: Disclosing agent (erythrosine) used to disclose the Biofilm
Step 4 – Airflow Max
Airflow Max was used at Power Level 3 and a 100% water setting to
safely remove all the supragingival and subgingival biofilm up to 4
Fig 3: Chronic mild to moderate periodontitis mm around the natural teeth, restorations, and implants with zero
discomfort. Airflow Max is operated at a 30 to 70-degree angulation
Step 3 – Motivation and positioned 2–5 mm away from the tooth surface, using small,
The patient’s history of multiple dental treatments combined with continuous circular movements. The procedure was performed
poor oral hygiene highlights a clear lack of motivation. At this stage, using Airflow Plus powder, a 14-micron erythritol powder. A
reinforcing the importance of consistent oral home care becomes special GBT high-speed suction was used by the clinician to reduce
essential. Tailored oral hygiene instructions should be provided based the aerosol and splatter levels, making the procedure cleaner and
on the patient’s current oral health status. The disclosing agent acts as more comfortable for both the clinician and the patient.
a visual guide, enabling faster and more precise removal of biofilm by
making it clearly visible.
Fig 5: Patient motivation Fig 6: Airflow max
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