Guide · Hygiene
GBT vs scale and polish: what’s the difference, and is it worth £110?
Two treatments that both get called “a clean” — and they’re built on opposite logic. At City Dental Care a standard hygiene appointment is £65 and Guided Biofilm Therapy is £110. Here’s what each actually involves, and where the difference in price comes from.
A scale and polish starts with the instrument
The hygienist scales every tooth with an ultrasonic or hand scaler to remove tartar and plaque, then polishes with a rubber cup and a gritty paste. It works — it has been the standard for decades. But it treats every surface the same whether it needs it or not, the polish is cosmetic rather than therapeutic, and a rubber cup can’t reach between teeth or below the gumline.
GBT starts with the cause
Gum disease and decay are driven by biofilm — the living film of bacteria that, left alone, hardens into tartar. Guided Biofilm Therapy is the eight-step protocol from the Swiss company EMS that removes the biofilm first, makes it visible so you understand it, and only then scales what is genuinely left. Tartar is what remains once the biofilm is gone, so the scraping part of the appointment shrinks to a fraction.
- Assessment — gums checked and pocket depths recorded.
- Disclosing — a harmless dye stains the biofilm so you can see exactly where plaque hides.
- Motivation — cleaning advice based on what the dye just showed, not a leaflet.
- AIRFLOW — warm water and a fine erythritol powder remove biofilm and surface stains, including between teeth and just under the gum.
- PERIOFLOW — a dedicated nozzle for deeper gum pockets.
- PIEZON ultrasonic — only the tartar that is left gets scaled, on gentle settings.
- Check — disclose again to confirm every trace is gone.
- Recall — your next interval set by your own risk.
The one-minute comparison
| Scale and polish | GBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Scale every tooth, then polish | Disclose, remove biofilm, then scale only what’s left |
| Shows you where plaque hides | Rarely | Always — before and after |
| Between teeth / under the gumline | Limited reach | AIRFLOW and PERIOFLOW reach both |
| Effect on enamel and restorations | Abrasive polishing paste | Minimally abrasive erythritol powder |
| Implants, braces, aligner attachments | Metal scalers can scratch implant surfaces | Protocol designed to clean around them safely |
| Comfort | Depends on how much scaling is needed | Warm water, minimal scaling — most patients find it easier |
| Surface stains | Partially | Lifted during AIRFLOW |
| Result verified at the end | No | Yes — re-disclosed |
| At City Dental Care | £65 (Plans A & B) | £110 (Plans C & D) |
Where the £45 difference goes
- Time — assessment, disclosing, coaching, AIRFLOW, targeted scaling and a re-check. The appointment is longer because it does more.
- Equipment and consumables — the EMS AIRFLOW system is a significant investment, and each appointment uses single-use nozzles and PLUS powder.
- Training — the team is trained in the protocol. It’s a method, not just a machine.
- What you get — comfort, reach the instruments don’t have, safety around implants and restorations, stain removal, and a verified result.
So which should you have?
If you have implants, crowns, veneers, braces or aligner attachments; if you find scaling uncomfortable or your teeth are sensitive; if you stain easily; or if you’ve had the same gum-health conversation at every visit for years — GBT is the one that changes the picture. If your gums are healthy, tartar builds slowly and you’re happy with your current clean, a standard hygiene appointment remains a perfectly good choice. Your hygienist will tell you honestly which suits you, and the Practice Plan lets you build either into a monthly fee.
Want to see where your plaque hides?
Book a GBT appointment at 9 Earl Grey Street — £110, or included in Practice Plans C and D. Evening appointments until 8pm, Monday to Thursday.
