What is the EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master?
The EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master is a professional dental prophylaxis unit that combines AIRFLOW (supragingival air polishing), PERIOFLOW (subgingival air polishing) and PIEZON (ultrasonic scaling) technologies in a single integrated system. It is designed to support a structured prophylaxis workflow where biofilm management, scaling and polishing are performed in a defined sequence rather than as separate, ad-hoc steps.
It is widely used in Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) protocols, although air polishing as a clinical technique is not exclusive to GBT or EMS.
Who is it for?
Clinics that typically consider the Prophylaxis Master tend to share some characteristics:
- Hygiene-led practices that want a defined, repeatable prophylaxis workflow.
- Practices with a high recall and maintenance volume — periodontal, peri-implant, orthodontic and pediatric programs.
- Clinics interested in adopting Guided Biofilm Therapy as a structured, marketable hygiene service.
- Multi-chair practices and DSOs that value standardization across operatories and operators.
Typical clinical workflow
Although the exact protocol depends on the clinical case, a typical session with the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master includes:
- Assessment and disclosing — Visualising biofilm with a disclosing solution to guide the cleaning.
- Motivation and instruction — Showing the patient where biofilm is present and reinforcing home care.
- AIRFLOW (supragingival air polishing) — Removing biofilm and stains with a low-abrasive powder (typically erythritol PLUS Powder).
- PERIOFLOW (subgingival air polishing) — Targeting biofilm in periodontal pockets ≥4 mm and around implants with a dedicated subgingival nozzle.
- PIEZON (ultrasonic scaling) — Removing residual hard deposits where needed.
- Quality check — Re-evaluating the surfaces and confirming the result with the patient.
What does the clinical evidence say?
The public evidence base supports air polishing with the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master as one structured approach to biofilm management — not as a clinically superior alternative to conventional debridement.
- 2024 BMC Oral Health randomised controlled trial — Pocket closure with Guided Biofilm Therapy was non-inferior to conventional scaling and root planing (SRP). At 6 weeks: GBT 77.9% vs SRP 80.1%. At 3 months: GBT 84.1% vs SRP 84.4%. Differences were not statistically significant.
- Mensi et al. 2021 + 2022 RCTs — Used the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master with PERIOFLOW and erythritol PLUS Powder in periodontal maintenance, reporting clinical and microbiological outcomes comparable to conventional subgingival instrumentation. (EMS-funded; disclosure noted.)
- Hatz et al. 2022 umbrella review — Air-polishing with low-abrasive powder jets (APWJT) is comparable to conventional instrumentation in active periodontitis, advantageous in supportive periodontal therapy (patient comfort and time), and not advantageous in active peri-implantitis.
Sources: BMC Oral Health (2024); Mensi M et al. (2021, 2022); Hatz CR et al. (2022) in Clinical Oral Investigations. Full references available on request.
Reference price (April 2026)
Distributor list pricing observed in April 2026:
- EU: €6,400–€8,000 ex-VAT (Preventio Hub distributor range; calculator baseline €7,200).
- US: approximately US $10,500–$11,500 retail.
- Powder consumption: ~7 g per typical appointment (manufacturer benchmark).
- Discount opportunity: With the GBT Machine now in production, several distributors are offering the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master at reduced pricing.
For deeper pricing logic see EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master price. Country, distributor, configuration, training package and financing change the final number — request an itemised quote in your country.
Sources: Preventio Hub distributor pricing observations (April 2026); EMS product communications.
Consumables and powders
The AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master is designed around EMS-validated powders:
- PLUS Powder — erythritol; the powder used in the GBT protocol; EMS holds the European patent on erythritol air-polishing powder.
- CLASSIC Comfort — sodium bicarbonate (~65 µm); for heavier supragingival stain.
- PERIOFLOW Powder — glycine, dedicated to the subgingival nozzle.
Using non-validated powders can affect performance and warranty. Annual consumable cost depends on patient volume and the supragingival/subgingival case mix.
Training and support
EMS distributors typically offer training on the device and on the Guided Biofilm Therapy protocol. For clinics that want to position GBT as a hygiene-led service line, structured training and Swiss Dental Academy certification is part of the package. Confirm what is included — onboarding, GBT certification, ongoing clinical support and software updates — when comparing offers.
Alternatives to compare
If you are evaluating the EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master, the player-tier alternatives in the global dental air-polishing category — alphabetically — are:
- Acteon Air-N-Go — Air polishing line with multiple powder options.
- Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Prophy Jet — Combined ultrasonic + air polisher (US-anchored installed base).
- Hu-Friedy PWR Air + PWR Pair — North American mid-premium standalone and combined units (~€1,800–€2,200 ex-VAT EU).
- NSK Prophy-Mate neo + Perio-Mate — Handpiece-style supra and subgingival polishers; NSK Flash Pearl powder is calcium carbonate (~54 µm), not sodium bicarbonate.
- W&H Proxeo Aura — Tabletop air polisher with SOFT/SMOOTH/SENSITIVE powder line (~€400–€600 ex-VAT EU).
- Woodpecker air polishers — Cost-competitive standalone and combined units (Woodpecker ABC protocol).
Adjacent-tier worth a separate quote: Mectron Combi Touch (combined piezo scaler + air polisher).
See our detailed best-of comparison →
Frequently asked questions
Is the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master still being sold?
Yes — but with a caveat. It is the previous-generation EMS unit; its successor, the GBT Machine, launched at IDS 2025 and has rolled out across most European and North American markets. In select markets where the GBT Machine has not yet arrived, the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master remains the current EMS option — confirm with your local EMS distributor. With the GBT Machine now in production, some distributors are offering the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master at reduced pricing.
How much does the EMS AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master cost?
EMS-distributor reference pricing in April 2026: €6,400–€8,000 ex-VAT in the EU (calculator baseline €7,200); approximately US $10,500–$11,500 in the United States. Country, distributor, configuration, training package and financing change the final number.
What does the clinical evidence say?
A 2024 randomised controlled trial published in BMC Oral Health found Guided Biofilm Therapy non-inferior to conventional scaling and root planing (6 weeks: 77.9% vs 80.1% pocket closure; 3 months: 84.1% vs 84.4%, non-significant). Several Mensi et al. RCTs (2021–2022) used the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master with PERIOFLOW and PLUS Powder, reporting outcomes comparable to conventional subgingival instrumentation in periodontal maintenance (EMS-funded; disclosure noted). Hatz et al. 2022 umbrella review: comparable to conventional instrumentation in active periodontitis, advantageous in supportive periodontal therapy, not advantageous in active peri-implantitis.
Is the Prophylaxis Master the only EMS air polishing unit?
No. EMS sells the GBT Machine (current flagship), the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master (predecessor combined tabletop), the AIRFLOW ONE and AIRFLOW Station tabletop air polishers (no integrated PIEZON), and AIRFLOW Handy 3.0 Plus / Supra handpieces.
Do I have to use Guided Biofilm Therapy with this device?
Not formally. The device can be used in any prophylaxis protocol your clinic follows. GBT is one structured approach the manufacturer promotes; many clinics adopt it because it standardises the workflow.
What powders does the AIRFLOW Prophylaxis Master use?
PLUS Powder (erythritol, GBT-specific; EMS holds the European patent on erythritol air-polishing powder), CLASSIC Comfort (sodium bicarbonate ~65 µm) for heavier supragingival stain, and dedicated PERIOFLOW glycine for the subgingival nozzle.
Can I buy it directly from EMS?
In most countries professional dental equipment is sold through authorised distributors rather than directly from the manufacturer. Pricing, demo, training and warranty depend on the local distributor.
What is the typical lifespan of the unit?
Premium dental units like this are usually expected to last many years with proper maintenance and an active service contract. Ask the distributor about warranty, service intervals and parts availability.