Last updated: November 2026
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) is a further development of professional dental cleaning: the bacterial biofilm, the main cause of caries, gingivitis and periodontitis, is first stained and thereby made visible before it is removed in a targeted and gentle way. Cleaning is carried out mainly with gentle Airflow technology instead of scraping hand instruments. This makes the treatment more thorough at the places where the problems actually are, and at the same time considerably more comfortable, including for sensitive tooth necks, implants or braces.
You attend professional dental cleaning regularly and still keep dealing with gum inflammation, discolouration or new problem areas? The reason often lies where you cannot see it directly: in the bacterial biofilm. Conventional treatments often concentrate on visible deposits. The colourless biofilm, barely perceptible to the naked eye, frequently remains undetected unless it is made visible, even though it is precisely this biofilm that plays a central role in the development of caries, gingivitis and periodontitis.
What makes Guided Biofilm Therapy so effective?
Biofilm is a fine, soft layer of bacteria and components of saliva. Because it is colourless and transparent, it visually blends in with the tooth surface and therefore often goes unnoticed. With Guided Biofilm Therapy, the biofilm is first stained and thus made visible.
That creates several advantages at once. You immediately see the places where deposits accumulate and can improve your oral hygiene in a targeted way. At the same time, this visibility allows for more individual oral hygiene instruction, because weak points can be discussed together and explained clearly on the spot.
The staining also offers a major advantage for the treatment itself: instead of treating all areas in the same way across the board, the cleaning concentrates on the places where action is actually needed. Consistently removing the biofilm significantly reduces the risk of caries, gingivitis and periodontitis. Deposits, discolouration and tartar are removed step by step, thoroughly and gently at the same time, including in sensitive or hard-to-reach areas such as the interdental spaces or along the gum line.
Why is GBT gentler than conventional methods?
Guided Biofilm Therapy is designed to clean teeth and gums as gently as possible. What is decisive is the combination of a precise approach and modern technology: biofilm and discolouration are removed mainly with gentle Airflow technology, while classic hand instruments are only used as a supplement. Among other things, a fine erythritol-based powder with a grain size of only 14 µm is used.
Compared with conventional professional dental cleaning, the sensation of heavy scraping or pressure clearly fades into the background. Instead, the treatment is often experienced as calm and comfortable. This advantage is particularly noticeable with sensitive tooth necks as well as with implants, dental restorations or orthodontic appliances, where gentle cleaning is especially important.
An additional and often underestimated effect: if dental cleaning is perceived as comfortable, the willingness to attend regular prophylaxis appointments usually increases. And that is precisely an important prerequisite for stable oral health in the long term.
Guided Biofilm Therapy at SP64
In modern dentistry, prophylaxis with gentle, minimally invasive methods is becoming increasingly important. Guided Biofilm Therapy fits consistently into this understanding. In contrast to conventional professional dental cleaning, the focus is placed more strongly on the causes of caries and gum disease.
By specifically staining the biofilm, the cleaning becomes a systematic, comprehensible treatment: you see for yourself where the weak points are, and we treat exactly there. At SP64 in Frankfurt’s Westend, GBT is therefore a firm part of our prophylaxis concept.
Frequently asked questions about Guided Biofilm Therapy
What is the difference between GBT and a standard dental cleaning?
With GBT, the bacterial biofilm is stained and made visible before cleaning. This means that cleaning is carried out specifically where it is needed, mainly with gentle Airflow technology instead of scraping instruments. Conventional dental cleaning works in a more across-the-board, instrument-based way.
Does Guided Biofilm Therapy hurt?
Most patients find GBT considerably more comfortable than a conventional dental cleaning, because there is less scraping. Sensitive tooth necks are protected as well.
How often should you have GBT?
As a guide, one to two appointments per year apply. The individual interval depends on your personal risk, for example in the case of periodontitis, implants or orthodontic appliances, and is determined together with you.
Would you like to experience Guided Biofilm Therapy for yourself? Schedule your prophylaxis appointment at SP64 in Frankfurt’s Westend.
