Prevention

Types of periodontal prevention that Dr Jeftha offers include:

• Mechanical and chemical plaque control involves eliminating and preventing dental plaque and tartar build-up using mechanical and chemical means. Gingivitis can be effectively reduced through mechanical plaque control procedures. Incorporating fluoride into caries management strategies, such as mechanical plaque control, is crucial.
• Oral hygiene - One of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums is to practise good oral hygiene daily. You can eat and speak correctly and feel good about yourself when your teeth are healthy. You can't afford to neglect your teeth and gums if you want to stay healthy. Your breath and smile will benefit when you care for your teeth and gums. Brushing and flossing should not hurt your gums; if they do, or if you have persistent bad breath or bleeding gums, you should see Dr Jeftha as soon as possible. Dr Jeftha can show you how to brush and floss your teeth properly, and she can also highlight problem areas in your mouth. In order to avoid costly and unpleasant dental work in the future, brush and floss your teeth twice a day.

Non-Surgical Treatment

Plaque is a bacterial biofilm that develops on teeth and gums, leading to gum disease. Plaque constantly forms on teeth. If you don't properly remove it, the bacteria it contains can lead to gum inflammation, deep pockets and recession. When plaque settles into these crevices (deep pockets), it becomes impossible to eliminate it through regular brushing. Gum disease can destroy bones and teeth if left untreated. Having Dr Jeftha perform scaling and rootplaning can treat periodontal disease without surgery.

• Rootplaning - Through rootplaning, any remaining calculus and plaque embedded in deep pockets are debrided, leaving behind a smooth, hard, and clean surface.
• Scaling - Scaling involves the removal of biofilm and calculus from the supragingival and subgingival surfaces of teeth.

Surgical Treatment

Dr Jeftha can help ensure that you take all measures necessary to maintain good oral health through various surgical interventions, including:

• Apicectomy - Around the root tip, an infection, such as a chronic abscess, can develop. The death of the tooth's nerve is typically the root of the problem. Although root canal therapy is usually the first line of defence, it may not be enough to resolve the issue altogether. When this occurs, an apicectomy is necessary. Either a local or a general anaesthetic can be used for the procedure. Gums are separated from the underlying bone. After dissolving the lesion with a blunt scraper, the gum will be sutured back into place after the root tip has been trimmed and sealed.
• Periodontal regeneration (guided tissue regeneration) – Advanced periodontal disease (periodontitis) causes loss of bone and gum. A surgical procedure called guided tissue regeneration (GTR) aims to regenerate the periodontal tissues in progressive disease.

• Vestibuloplasty - If you have a healthy oral vestibule, the space between your lips and cheeks and your teeth and gums, your teeth will fit comfortably. During a vestibulopathy, the relationship between the gingiva and the mucous membrane is surgically altered by, among other things, making the vestibular trough deeper, moving the frenulum or muscle attachments, and enlarging the zone of attached gingiva. Vestibuloplasty is a procedure that is sometimes necessary before the insertion of a prosthetic if dentures are needed. The oral vestibule can be widened with pre-prosthetic surgery to make room for full or partial dentures or implants. Extending the area could make practising good oral hygiene around the dental implants easier.

Supportive Management

Dr Jeftha can help ensure that you take all measures necessary to maintain good oral health, and she can help you with the following:

• Maintenance - Regular, thorough brushing and flossing are the cornerstones of a healthy oral hygiene routine. In order to prevent dental plaque from building up, you should remove it by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
• Oral Health - When we talk about our oral health, we're referring to the condition of our teeth, gums, and the rest of the oral-facial system. Cavities (tooth decay), gum disease (periodontal disease), and oral cancer are some of the most common diseases that can negatively affect oral health.

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