Course Overview
Presented by NSK
Aims
The aim of this article is to provide dental professionals with an understanding of the modern, minimally invasive philosophy in the treatment of periodontitis and biofilm management. It explores the evolution of air polishing and ultrasonic technologies and their role in improving both clinical efficacy and patient comfort.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this CPD module, the reader will be able to:
- Discuss the global shift from restorative to preventive dentistry as recommended by the WHO.
- Explain the development of air polishing from a cosmetic tool to a pathological treatment for biofilm removal.
- Identify the benefits of biocompatible powders in subgingival and supragingival therapy.
- Describe how “Intelligent Piezo” technology distinguishes between calculus and root surfaces to preserve healthy tissue.
- Recognise the role of cavitation and acoustic streaming in biofilm disruption during ultrasonic scaling.
Related Content
Please read the accompanying article as featured in the March-April 2026 edition of Smile Oral Health Matters.
Further recommended reading
https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Recommendations on the clinical application of air polishing for the management of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. Quintessence Int. 2016 Apr;47(4):293-6. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.a35132. PMID: 26574612
Frank Schwarz, Kathrin Becker, Klaus-Dieter Bastendorf, Daniele Cardaropoli, Christina Chatfield, Ian Dunn, Paul Fletcher, Johannes Einwag, Anna Louropoulou, Andrea Mombelli, Philip Ower, Pedja Pavlovic, Philipp Sahrmann, Giovanni E Salvi, Petra Schmage, Yasuko Takeuchi, Fridus Van Der Weijden, Stefan Renvert https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26574612/
Global Status Report on Oral Health 2022
https://www.who.int/team/noncommunicable-diseases/global-status-report-on-oral-health-2022
Prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases-The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline
David Herrera 1, Tord Berglundh 2, Frank Schwarz 3, Iain Chapple 4 5, Søren Jepsen 6, Anton Sculean 7, Moritz Kebschull 4 5 8, Panos N Papapanou 8, Maurizio S Tonetti 9, Mariano Sanz 1; EFP workshop participants and methodological consultant
J Clin Periodontol 2023 Jun:50 Suppl 26:4-76.doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13823. Epub 2023 Jun 4
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpe.13823
World (2025). New data: noncommunicable diseases cause 1.8 million avoidable deaths and cost US$ 514 billion every year, reveals new WHO/Europe report. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/27-06-2025-new-data–noncommunicable-diseases-cause-1-8-million-avoidable-deaths-and-cost-us-514-billion-USD-every-year–reveals-new-who-europe-report
World (2025). New data: noncommunicable diseases cause 1.8 million avoidable deaths and cost US$ 514 billion every year, reveals new WHO/Europe report. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/27-06-2025-new-data–noncommunicable-diseases-cause-1-8-million-avoidable-deaths-and-cost-us-514-billion-USD-every-year–reveals-new-who-europe-report
How does ultrasonic cavitation remove dental bacterial biofilm?
Vyas N, Wang QX, Manmi KA, Sammons RL, Kuehne SA, Walmsley AD.
Ultrason Sonochem. 2020 Oct;67:105112. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2020.105112. Epub 2020 Mar 28.PMID: 32283494
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32283494/
Bangkok Declaration – No Health Without Oral Health
https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/bangkok-declaration—no-health-without-oral-health
Click here to find out more and access special offers
