Periodontics Specialist Services at Collins Street Specialist Centre

Overview

Periodontics is a registered dental specialty focused on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of periodontal disease and the biological structures supporting the teeth. At Collins Street Specialist Centre, periodontic services are delivered exclusively by Dental Board-registered Specialist Periodontists who have completed advanced postgraduate training in periodontal disease diagnosis, treatment, and surgical implant placement.

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Service Location and Access

Physical Location:

• Level 12 & Tower, Manchester Unity Building
• Address: 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
• Parking: Directly opposite Town Hall Metro Rail Station

The periodontic suites operate as part of Collins Street Specialist Centre's integrated multidisciplinary model, enabling seamless collaboration with other specialist disciplines within the same building.

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Specialist Team

The periodontics team comprises five Dental Board-registered specialist periodontists:

• Dr Simon Hinckfuss — Dual-registered as both Specialist Periodontist and Specialist Prosthodontist; the only periodontist in Australia holding both qualifications
• Dr James van den Berg — Leading practitioner of laser periodontal therapy in Victoria with over 25 years in specialist implantology and periodontics; laser experience since 2004
• Dr Nupur Kataria — Specialist Periodontist with Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics) from the University of Adelaide
• Dr Ahmed El Hadidi — Specialist Periodontist with research interests in DNA mutations and precision medicine approaches to periodontal disease
• Dr Peishan Jiang — Specialist Periodontist with interests in translational dental research and surgical periodontics, including bone and gum grafting, sinus lifts, and implant surgery

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Core Clinical Services

1. Gum Disease (Periodontitis) Treatment

Management across the full spectrum of periodontal disease:

• Early-stage gingivitis (gum inflammation without bone loss)
• Advanced periodontitis (significant bone loss around teeth)
• Treatment modalities include thorough root surface debridement, evidence-based adjunctive therapies, and surgical intervention when non-surgical approaches are insufficient
• Non-surgical therapy typically spans initial assessment through supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) every 3–4 months

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2. Dental Implant Surgery and Placement

Comprehensive implant surgical services:

• Single-tooth implant placement — for individual missing teeth
• Full-arch rehabilitation — complex cases involving multiple implants supporting bridges or complete dentures
• All-on-4 implant placement — strategic placement of four implants to support a full arch of fixed teeth
• Advanced implant cases — including those requiring concurrent bone grafting or sinus augmentation
• Supported by: 3D imaging and digital surgical planning technology

Periodontists coordinate implant surgery with prosthodontists who design and place final restorations, ensuring restoration-driven treatment planning.

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3. Bone Grafting and Augmentation

Regenerative procedures to restore lost bone volume:

• Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) — using barrier membranes and bone substitutes
• Bone graft placement — to create conditions for successful implant placement
• Smaller, localized bone grafting — performed by periodontists for site-specific implant preparation
• Complex bone grafting coordination — with oral and maxillofacial surgeons for extensive defects

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4. Gum Grafting (Soft Tissue Grafting)

Soft tissue surgical procedures to address gum recession:

• Tissue harvesting — typically from the patient's own palate or donor sources
• Graft placement — to rebuild gum margin and cover exposed root surfaces
• Indications: Periodontal disease-related gum recession, peri-implantitis-related soft tissue deficiency, recession accompanying periodontitis
• Outcomes: Restores natural gingival contours, improves functional and aesthetic results, protects underlying root surfaces

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5. Crown Lengthening (Gum Lift)

Aesthetic and functional gum contouring:

• Gum tissue reshaping — repositioning of gum margin
• Bone recontouring — where necessary to expose adequate tooth structure
• Aesthetic applications — correction of "gummy smile" or uneven gum lines
• Functional applications — exposing sufficient tooth structure for proper crown or bridge fitting
• Specialist expertise areas: Dr Ahmed El Hadidi and Dr Peishan Jiang maintain advanced competency in this procedure

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6. Sinus Lift (Sinus Augmentation)

Surgical bone augmentation in the upper posterior jaw:

• Procedure: Gentle elevation of sinus membrane with placement of bone graft material beneath
• Purpose: Creating adequate bone height and density for implant placement in areas limited by sinus proximity
• Timing: Can be performed as a staged procedure or simultaneously with bone grafting
• Execution: Routine in specialist periodontics, requiring careful planning and skilled surgical technique

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7. Peri-Implantitis Management

Treatment of infection and inflammation around existing implants:

• Soft tissue management — addressing gum inflammation around implant sites
• Long-term implant maintenance — monitoring and management of peri-implant tissues throughout implant lifespan
• Management of failing implants — addressing complications that develop after implant placement

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8. Regenerative and Advanced Periodontal Surgery

Specialist surgical techniques requiring focused postgraduate training:

• Flap surgery (osseous surgery) — providing direct access for thorough root surface debridement and bone reshaping
• Regenerative material placement — bone grafts, barrier membranes, and growth factors to encourage tissue and bone regeneration
• Complex defect management — morphology-specific approaches to encourage body's natural rebuilding of lost bone and attachment

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Diagnostic and Treatment Planning Technologies

Advanced Imaging:

• 3D Digital Surgical Planning — coDiagnostiX software for implant planning and placement visualization
• Cone Beam CT (CBCT) — precise assessment of bone volume, anatomy, and pathology

Laser Technology:

• NV Laser — soft tissue surgery and removal of diseased, infected, inflamed, or necrosed tissue
• VersaWave Laser — bone and gum procedures across periodontal applications
• Fotona LightWalker Laser — gum procedures and periodontal management
• Fotona LightWalker AT Laser — gum disease management and periodontal procedures

Treatment Documentation:

• Digital photography and imaging for comprehensive case documentation and patient communication

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Clinical Treatment Phases

Periodontal treatment typically progresses through structured phases:

Phase 1: Initial Assessment and Diagnosis

• Comprehensive periodontal evaluation and radiographic assessment
• Staging and grading of periodontal disease per current international classification standards

Phase 2: Initial Therapy (Non-Surgical)

• Typically 2–4 appointments
• Root surface debridement and plaque control
• Patient education and oral hygiene optimization

Phase 3: Reassessment

• Evaluation of response to initial therapy
• Comparison of pocket depths, bleeding scores, and radiographic appearance with baseline
• Determination of need for surgical intervention

Phase 4: Surgical Periodontal Therapy (Where Required)

• Flap surgery, osseous surgery, or regenerative procedures for residual disease
• Specialized surgical approaches for specific bone defect morphologies

Phase 5: Supportive Periodontal Therapy (Long-Term Maintenance)

• Tailored recall programme, typically every 3–4 months
• Early detection of disease activity
• Maintenance of treatment gains and prevention of disease recurrence

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Recovery and Aftercare Standards

After Non-Surgical Therapy:

• Tender gums for 24–48 hours (normal)
• Minor bleeding during first day (normal)
• Chlorhexidine mouth rinse may be prescribed for initial healing
• Immediate resumption of normal activities

After Surgical Procedures:

• Recovery time: approximately 1–2 weeks
• Soft diet for first week
• Avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting for 24 hours
• Prescription pain relief and antibiotics as appropriate
• Careful but gentle oral hygiene around surgical sites
• Written aftercare instructions provided and tailored to specific procedure

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Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Periodontics integrates with other specialties within Collins Street Specialist Centre:

With Prosthodontics:

• Implant treatment planning and prosthetic coordination
• Complex restoration planning following bone loss
• All-on-4 implant rehabilitation coordination

With Orthodontics:

• Safe orthodontic management in patients with gum disease or bone loss
• Periodontal monitoring during tooth movement

With Endodontics:

• Assessment and treatment of endo-perio lesions
• Determination of primary pathology in combined cases

With Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery:

• Complex bone grafting and surgical intervention coordination
• Risk management sequencing for cases involving concurrent periodontal disease
• Advanced implant case management

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Specialist Registration and Qualifications

Registration Requirements:

• Minimum of three years full-time postgraduate specialist training beyond dental degree
• Advanced postgraduate training focused exclusively on periodontal disease, implant biology, and surgical periodontics
• AHPRA Registration: All specialists hold current Dental Board of Australia specialist registration in Periodontology
• Verification: Registration independently verifiable at www.ahpra.gov.au

Advanced Training Credentials:

• Specialist periodontists hold credentials from recognized universities including University of Melbourne, University of Adelaide, and Queen Mary & Royal London
• Recognized professional memberships (ADA, AOS, ASP, ITI, RACDS)

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Access and Appointment Information

No Referral Required: Patients may self-refer directly to periodontics services

Contact Details:

• Phone: (03) 9650 2726
• Email: theteam@collinsstreetspecialistcentre.com.au
• Hours: Monday–Friday 8am–6pm | Saturday 8:30am–1:30pm
• Location: Level 12 & Tower, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

Multilingual Support: Available to serve diverse patient populations

Flexible Access:

• International and interstate patients welcomed
• Urgent appointment access available during business hours for acute dental conditions
• Flexible payment options available

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References

• [1] CSSC_KNOWLEDGE_BASE.md
• [2] WEBSITE_RAW_SCRAPE.md
• [4] periodontics-hub.md
• [5] gum-disease.md