Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable.
Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C), Health Canada and the Canadian Centre For Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.
To ensure the health and well-being of our patients and team members, we have installed 2 different types of air purifiers at our dental office. Both of these are manufactured by the Canadian company, Surgically Clean Air.
- CASCADE WHITE - The Cascade White is the first unit you will see when you enter our office. We have placed this in the waiting area because this is the largest room in our office. The Cascade White is able to filter up to 576 cubic feet per minute.
The Cascade White filter has 6 stages of filtration including UV sterilization, plus two additional negative ion chambers to ensure the air is as fresh as possible. These six filters capture 99.998% of dust particles, pollen, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), mold, allergens, viruses, odors (like formaldehyde and smoke), bio-aerosols, laughing gas, and many other pollutants that are found in the inside air. The negative ion generator makes the indoor environment feel more pure, clean, and energized.
- JADE - The Jade filter is what you will find in each of our operatories. The Jade filters still have the same 6 stage filtering system and will move 383 cubic feet per minute. This means the Jade will filter all the air in a 10 x 10 room in about 2 minutes.
Both of these filters perform their duties without being loud, (an industry-leading low level of about 55DB) or creating a “breeze” that can be uncomfortable for our patients.
Some additional changes you may also see when it is time for your next appointment. For example:
- Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office. We will not allow patients to enter our office who have symptoms or have traveled outside of Canada in the last 2 weeks.
- We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
- You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
- In the interest of physical distancing, we are advising all adult patients to attend the office alone to prevent crowding.
- Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
- We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.
- For our safety and yours, we currently cannot accept walk-ins.
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (403) 382‑2273.
So come on in to get your dental work done and enjoy Surgically Clean Air!
Guided Biofilm Therapy
The Gentler Way to Cleaner Teeth
What is Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)?
Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) uses advanced tools to get rid of biofilm or bacterial deposits on the surfaces of the teeth. It discloses the location of the plaque, making it easier and faster to remove.
The traditional methods involved manual (hand) and ultrasonic (electronic) instruments. GBT, on the other hand, uses AIRFLOW® technology that delivers deeper cleaning without directly touching the teeth and gums.
GBT is gentle yet effective, and we're happy to offer it to our patients here at Cool Dental in Lethbridge, Alberta.
What can I expect from the GBT procedure?
- Evaluating your teeth and gums
The process begins with a dental examination and oral cancer assessment. Your dentist will also inspect the state of your dental work or appliance. To qualify for GBT, the soft tissue in your mouth must be healthy.
Afterward, you rinse with a preprocedural mouthwash. This reduces the bacterial load in your mouth and minimizes aerosol contamination.
You also wear a retracting device to separate your lips and cheeks from your teeth. This allows your dental team to see and access your mouth more easily.
- Disclosing the location of the biofilm
Next, your dentist or hygienist applies the EMS Biofilm Discloser.
It dyes areas where the plaque is, serving as a guide during the cleaning process. Plaque can be colorless and difficult to spot with the naked eye.
Revealing the location of biofilm using accurate markers prevents missing spots that need cleaning. Getting rid of the plaque also removes the dye.
- Understanding the condition of your mouth
Applying the dye reveals areas of your mouth that can be tough to clean.
Your dental team shows you photos of your mouth to raise awareness of why the procedure is important. You can see how your mouth improves after the cleaning process.
Understanding the steps involved and witnessing their positive effects firsthand can motivate you to cooperate throughout.
- Applying AirFlow® Max
AirFlow® is a handpiece used for dental cleaning and polishing. It removes deposits up to 4 mm below the gum line.
It applies even to those with braces, implants, and dental restorations. It can also be used to clean the tongue.
AirFlow® can reach deep grooves and clean orthodontic brackets, misaligned teeth, and margins below the crown. It's minimally invasive too, which helps preserve dental work, soft tissue, and the natural tooth structure.
AirFlow® Classic Comfort Powder, on the other hand, is used to target remaining deposits, such as stains from coffee and tobacco.
- Reaching deep pockets with PerioFlow®
Calculus can be removed from gum pockets as deep as 9 mm using the PerioFlow®. Like the AirFlow®, it's also a handheld device used for periodontal therapy.
It has a specialized tip that reaches deep pockets, but its gentle nature prevents sensitivity. It's powerful, but since it's minimally invasive, the dentin and the cementum remain protected.
The dentin is the layer beneath the enamel, which is softer. And the cementum is the layer that covers the roots of the tooth.
- Getting rid of remaining calculus
The next step is cleaning pockets deeper than 10 mm and removing calculus up to 3 mm below the implants.
Piezon® technology is used for this step. It comes with ultrasonic tips and dynamic response features that remove tartar safely and accurately.
Piezon® is a gentle tool that allows for a comfortable dental cleaning experience. It can remove up to 95% of biofilm above and below the gum line, eliminating the need for various instruments.
- Final evaluation
Deposits can mask decay and make it hard to notice, but Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) makes these areas visible.
Your dentist targets them during the quality control phase. They remove the calculus and apply fluoride to your teeth. The earlier steps clean and polish the teeth at once.
Finally, your dental team will photograph your smile so you can compare how it looked before and after the procedure.
- Discussing follow-ups
Your dentist discusses follow-up visits with you according to your risk assessment. They also talk to you about concerns you may have.
Keeping up with your dental hygiene cleaning appointments can help you avoid unnecessary visits. Healthy teeth and gums need less work, which cuts down chair time.
Dental visits are scheduled every 6 months or twice a year. Those with an increased risk for tartar buildup or tooth decay may need to come in more frequently. The same goes for those with orthodontic appliances and dental conditions, such as gum disease.
Looking for Guided Biofilm Therapy in Lethbridge?
You've come to the right place!
Benefits of Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT)
- Gentle. GBT is gentle, making it suitable for children as well. It reduces the need for dental cleaning instruments that some may be uncomfortable with. Tools don't come in contact with the teeth and gums. The reduced sensation and faster treatment times help anxious patients feel more at ease.
- Effective. The GBT guarantees effective plaque removal. The technology lives up to its purpose: gum disease management and comfortable dental hygiene cleanings. Biofilm becomes easily visible and accessible, and chair time is significantly reduced.
- Safe. The GBT is backed by decades of research. It's proven safe for natural teeth and any dental work, including implants. It's tough on plaque, even the kind lurking in deep gum pockets, but it's gentle on the mouth.
Patients are aware of the importance of routine hygiene cleanings, but anxiety and fear sometimes keep them from showing up. The Guided Biofilm Therapy reduces potential triggers for anxiety and provides opportunities to keep your oral health in check. We're happy to offer this service to the Lethbridge community in Alberta. To hear more about how GBT works, get in touch with us at Cool Dental. We're excited to show you how this dental technology is preserving oral health and making smiles a lot better.
SMILES TRANSFORMED
From dental implants to dentures,
see some successful cases by Dr. Karstan Lachman
More Before & Afters
Are you ready for a new dental experience?
CONTACT INFO
Phone: (403) 382-2273
reception@cooldental.ca
1917 Mayor Magrath Dr S #10
Lethbridge, AB T1K 2R8
Canada
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