If you have ever wondered whether there is a more comfortable way to clean your teeth, there is. It is called AIR-FLOW. At MS Dental, we offer AIR-FLOW as an advanced alternative to traditional scaling at our Cardiff and Fletcher clinics. Patients often ask how the two treatments compare and which option suits them best.
This blog compares both approaches using evidence-based information. It can help you feel informed and confident about your care at your next MS Dental appointment.
What Is Traditional Scaling?
Traditional scaling, also known as a scale and clean or prophylaxis, is the method most people are familiar with from their dental visits. Traditional scaling uses handheld or ultrasonic instruments to remove calculus, plaque, and stains from the teeth and along the gum line.
Traditional scaling has been a standard dental hygiene treatment for decades. It remains highly effective for removing hardened calculus from tooth surfaces. It is a tried and tested approach that most patients will have experienced at some point in their dental care journey.
However, traditional scaling does have some limitations. The instruments used can cause discomfort, particularly in patients with sensitive teeth or inflamed gums. The scraping action, while effective on calculus, can sometimes feel abrasive and may cause minor trauma to the surrounding soft tissue. For patients who already feel anxious about dental visits, the sound and sensation of scaling instruments can add to their discomfort.
What Is AIR-FLOW Treatment?
AIR-FLOW is an advanced dental hygiene technology developed by EMS Dental, a Swiss dental manufacturer with a long history of innovation in preventative dentistry. The system uses a controlled stream of air, warm water, and fine glycine or erythritol powder to remove biofilm, stains, and soft deposits. It can also clean around the gum line and dental restorations more gently than traditional scaling alone.
The most advanced application of AIR-FLOW technology is Guided Biofilm Therapy, commonly referred to as GBT. This systematic, evidence-based protocol begins by disclosing the biofilm on the teeth so the clinician can identify affected areas. They then use AIR-FLOW to remove the biofilm before using minimally invasive ultrasonic instruments to remove any remaining calculus.
At MS Dental, our Cardiff and Fletcher clinics offer AIR-FLOW treatment as part of our commitment to providing patients with access to the most effective and comfortable preventative care available in Newcastle.
The Key Differences Between AIR-FLOW and Traditional Scaling
Understanding the practical differences between these two approaches will help you decide which is most appropriate for your situation.
Biofilm Removal
The most fundamental difference between AIR-FLOW and traditional scaling lies in what each method targets. Traditional scaling is designed primarily to remove calculus, which is the hard mineralised deposit that forms when plaque is not removed regularly. Scaling instruments effectively break up and remove calculus, but they do not target soft biofilm across all tooth surfaces. Biofilm can build up between teeth, around restorations, and below the gum line.
Biofilm is the thin, sticky layer of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. While it has not yet mineralised into calculus, it is the source of many dental and gum problems including cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. If biofilm is not disrupted and removed regularly, it progresses to calculus and the cycle of dental disease continues.
AIR-FLOW targets biofilm directly. The fine powder particles in the AIR-FLOW stream reach areas that instruments cannot easily access. They help remove biofilm from tooth surfaces, between teeth, along the gum margin, and within shallow gum pockets. This makes AIR-FLOW a more comprehensive approach to preventative dental cleaning when compared to scaling alone.
Comfort
For many patients, comfort is the most immediately relevant difference between the two approaches. Traditional scaling uses metal instruments that contact the tooth surface directly. This can cause sensitivity, pressure, and occasional minor bleeding, especially for patients with inflamed or sensitive gums.
AIR-FLOW is a contactless procedure for the soft tissue. The warm water in the AIR-FLOW stream is also reported by many patients to feel more pleasant than the cold water used in traditional ultrasonic scaling. The overall experience is often more comfortable, especially for patients with dental anxiety, sensitive teeth, or gum disease.
Multiple clinical studies have confirmed patient-reported comfort levels are higher with AIR-FLOW compared to traditional scaling. A study published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene found that patients consistently rated AIR-FLOW treatment as more comfortable than conventional methods, with no reduction in clinical effectiveness.
Effectiveness Around Dental Restorations
AIR-FLOW can be particularly useful when cleaning around restorations, implants, crowns, bridges, or orthodontic appliances. Its gentle cleaning approach can help remove biofilm and stains from these areas.
Traditional scaling instruments can scratch or damage the surfaces of porcelain, composite resin, and implant components. The abrasive action that is highly effective on natural tooth enamel is not appropriate for these more delicate surfaces.
AIR-FLOW, by contrast, uses a fine erythritol powder that is gentle enough to clean around implants, veneers, crowns, and composite restorations without causing surface damage. This makes it the preferred choice for patients who have significant restorative or cosmetic dental work, and it is why AIR-FLOW is increasingly considered the gold standard in implant maintenance.
Patients at MS Dental who have had dental implants, veneers, crowns, or bridges placed are particularly well suited to AIR-FLOW treatment for their ongoing maintenance appointments.
Sub-Gingival Cleaning
Traditional ultrasonic scaling can reach below the gum line to remove calculus from root surfaces. Dentists use this approach for gum disease and may call it root surface debridement or deep scaling. This remains an important clinical tool for patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis who have deep pockets around their teeth.
AIR-FLOW uses a specialised PERIO-FLOW nozzle to direct the stream into gum pockets up to 9mm deep. It helps remove biofilm from root surfaces while reducing the trauma associated with traditional instruments. This is particularly valuable in the early and moderate stages of gum disease and as a maintenance tool for patients who have had periodontal treatment.
For patients with advanced gum disease, dentists typically use AIR-FLOW alongside traditional periodontal instruments. It is not usually a complete replacement for these instruments. At MS Dental, our clinicians at Cardiff and Fletcher will recommend the combination of tools that best suits your specific periodontal health status.
Time Efficiency
In clinical practice, Guided Biofilm Therapy with AIR-FLOW can be more time efficient than traditional scaling in some cases. This is particularly true for patients with low to moderate levels of calculus. Removing biofilm before addressing any remaining calculus can make cleaning appointments more efficient. This may reduce appointment time and make the experience less tiring for patients and clinicians.
For patients with heavy calculus, dentists may use ultrasonic scaling as part of the GBT protocol. It remains an effective tool for removing larger amounts of calculus.
Which Is Better for You?
The honest answer is that the best approach depends on your individual clinical situation. Here is a general guide to help you understand which method may be most appropriate for your circumstances.
AIR-FLOW may suit patients with sensitive teeth or gums, dental anxiety, or discomfort during traditional scaling. It can also be useful for patients with implants, veneers, crowns, bridges, composite restorations, or orthodontic appliances. It may also benefit those with early to moderate gum disease or those seeking a thorough preventative cleaning.
Traditional scaling may be more appropriate if you have heavy calculus deposits that require physical removal. It can also play an important role in treating advanced gum disease with deep pockets or during active periodontal treatment.
In many cases, the two approaches are used in combination. At MS Dental, our clinicians in Cardiff and Fletcher will assess your needs during your appointment. They will recommend the approach that best suits your dental health and treatment needs.
AIR-FLOW Treatment at MS Dental Newcastle
MS Dental offers AIR-FLOW treatment at our Cardiff and Fletcher clinics. We provide evidence-based, patient-centred preventative dental care for patients in Newcastle.
Our team will conduct a thorough assessment of your oral health before recommending the most appropriate cleaning protocol for your needs. Whether you need AIR-FLOW, traditional scaling, or a combination of both, we can tailor your treatment to your needs. At MS Dental, we base your care on current clinical evidence and your long-term oral health.
You can learn more about our preventative dental services including general check-ups and cleans and gum disease treatment on our website.
For further reading on the evidence behind AIR-FLOW and Guided Biofilm Therapy, the Australian Dental Association provides resources on current standards in preventative dental care.
Three Convenient Locations Across Newcastle
Cardiff Clinic
20 Newcastle Street, Cardiff NSW 2285
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM | Saturday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
📞 (02) 4954 7722
📧 [email protected]
Fletcher Clinic
9 Churnwood Drive, Fletcher NSW 2287
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM | Every second Saturday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
📞 (02) 4953 8614
📧 [email protected]
Mayfield Clinic
181 Maitland Road, Mayfield NSW 2304
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
📞 (02) 4023 3885
📧 [email protected]
Book Your AIR-FLOW Appointment at MS Dental Today
Whether you are curious about AIR-FLOW treatment or ready to book your next hygiene appointment, our team at MS Dental is here to help. New patients are welcome at our Cardiff, Fletcher, and Mayfield clinics. Our reception team can also answer any questions about AIR-FLOW before you book.
📅 Book your appointment today:
🌐 www.msdental.com.au
📞 Cardiff: (02) 4954 7722 | Fletcher: (02) 4953 8614 | Mayfield: (02) 4023 3885
Cleaner teeth. Healthier gums. A better experience. That is what AIR-FLOW at MS Dental delivers.
