Dental Air Polishing Glossary

A

ABC Protocol

Woodpecker's branded prophylaxis workflow, designed around the Woodpecker PT-E, AP-H and related units. Full guide →

Air polisher

A dental device that projects a controlled jet of compressed air, water and fine powder onto the tooth surface to remove biofilm and surface staining. Available in standalone, combined (with ultrasonic scaling) or handpiece-only configurations. Full guide →

Airflow

EMS supragingival air polishing handpiece. Also used as a brand-level term for EMS air polishing technology generally.

Airflow Prophylaxis Master

EMS predecessor combined tabletop unit pairing Airflow, Perioflow and Piezon technologies. Replaced as EMS's current model by the GBT Machine at IDS 2025; still active in markets where the GBT Machine has not rolled out. Full guide →

Air-N-Go

Acteon's range of dental air polishing devices, in standalone handpiece and bench-top configurations. Full guide →

AP-H

Woodpecker standalone supragingival air polishing tabletop unit. Entry-level configuration in the Woodpecker air polishing range. Full guide →

B

Biofilm

An organised bacterial community attached to tooth, restoration or implant surfaces. Removing biofilm is the primary clinical goal of professional prophylaxis.

C

Cavitron Prophy-Jet

Dentsply Sirona heritage combined ultrasonic + air polishing unit, especially established in North America. Often considered for replacement by modern combined alternatives. Full guide →

Combi Touch

Mectron Italian-made combined tabletop unit (ultrasonic scaling + air polishing). Premium positioning in European markets. Full guide →

Combined tabletop system

A dental unit that integrates ultrasonic scaling and air polishing in a single tabletop or cart device. Examples: EMS Airflow Prophylaxis Master, EMS GBT Machine, NSK Varios Combi Pro2, Mectron Combi Touch, Woodpecker PT-E.

E

Erythritol

A low-abrasive sugar alcohol powder used in dental air polishing, particularly in Guided Biofilm Therapy. EMS holds the European patent on erythritol air-polishing powder; non-EMS units in the EU cannot use it. Erythritol vs glycine →

G

GBT — Guided Biofilm Therapy

An 8-step prophylaxis protocol developed by EMS, comprising: assessment, biofilm disclosure, patient motivation, supragingival Airflow polishing, subgingival Perioflow polishing, Piezon scaling, recheck and recall. Full guide →

GBT Machine

EMS's current air polishing unit, officially launched at IDS 2025 (Cologne). The named successor to the Airflow Prophylaxis Master. Runs the same 8-step GBT protocol with updated industrial design. Full guide →

Glycine

A low-abrasive amino acid powder used in dental air polishing. Universal compatibility — works with all major brands including EMS, NSK, Woodpecker and Acteon. Erythritol vs glycine →

H

Handpiece-only air polisher

An air polishing handpiece that connects to an existing ultrasonic scaling unit, without its own console. Examples: NSK Prophy-Mate neo, NSK Perio-Mate, EMS Perioflow.

I

IDS

Internationale Dental-Schau — the major biennial dental trade fair held in Cologne, Germany. EMS GBT Machine launched at IDS 2025.

M

MIT — Minimally Invasive Therapy

NSK's structured prophylaxis protocol. Aligned with EFP S3 guidelines for periodontal management. Full guide →

P

Peri-implantitis

An inflammatory condition affecting soft and hard tissues around dental implants, characterised by bone loss. Non-surgical management commonly includes air polishing with low-abrasive powders. Full guide →

Perioflow

EMS subgingival air polishing handpiece used for biofilm removal in periodontal pockets ≥ 4 mm. Compatible with low-abrasive erythritol powder. Perioflow vs Perio-Mate →

Perio-Mate

NSK subgingival air polishing handpiece for biofilm removal in periodontal pockets. Compatible with glycine powder. Perioflow vs Perio-Mate →

Piezon

EMS ultrasonic piezo scaling technology integrated into the Airflow Prophylaxis Master and GBT Machine combined units.

Prophy-Jet

Dentsply Sirona Cavitron Prophy-Jet — see Cavitron. Full guide →

Prophy-Mate neo

NSK supragingival air polishing handpiece. Compatible with glycine and sodium bicarbonate powders. Does not use erythritol. Full guide →

PT-B

Built-in variant of the Woodpecker PT-E. Designed for installation into dental cabinetry rather than chairside placement. Full guide →

PT-E

Woodpecker tabletop combined unit (ultrasonic scaler + air polisher). Cost-competitive alternative to EMS and NSK premium combined units. Full guide →

S

Sodium bicarbonate

A higher-abrasion powder used in some air polishing systems for heavy stain removal. Not used for routine prophylaxis or on implants, restorations or exposed dentine.

Subgingival

Below the gingival margin. Subgingival air polishing addresses biofilm in periodontal pockets ≥ 4 mm, using dedicated handpieces (Perioflow, Perio-Mate) and low-abrasive powders.

Supragingival

Above the gingival margin. Routine prophylaxis territory; standard supragingival air polishing handpieces remove biofilm and surface staining from the visible tooth surface.

T

TCO — Total Cost of Ownership

The sum of capital cost, consumables (powder, tips, handpieces), training, maintenance and downtime over the useful life of equipment, typically modelled over five years for dental capital purchases. Use the calculator →

V

Varios Combi Pro2

NSK combined tabletop unit pairing ultrasonic scaling and air polishing. NSK's flagship combined system, aligned with the MIT protocol. Full guide →