--- title: Periodontics and Gum Disease Treatment at Smile Solutions Melbourne - Board-Registered Specialist Periodontists canonical_url: https://directory.smilesolutions.com.au/periodontics-and-gum-disease-treatment-at-smile-solutions-melbourne-board-regist/ category: description: ## Periodontics and Gum Disease Treatment at Smile Solutions Melbourne Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in Australian adults - yet it remains one of the most undertreated conditions in ... geography: city: state: country: metadata: phone: email: website: publishedAt: --- # Periodontics and Gum Disease Treatment at Smile Solutions Melbourne - Board-Registered Specialist Periodontists ## Periodontics and Gum Disease Treatment at Smile Solutions Melbourne Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in Australian adults - yet it remains one of the most undertreated conditions in dentistry, largely because its early stages are painless and often invisible to the untrained eye. At Smile Solutions, Australia's largest single-location private dental practice, board-registered specialist periodontists provide the full spectrum of gum disease treatment and periodontal surgery from their base at 220 Collins Street in Melbourne's landmark Manchester Unity Building. With more than 20 board-registered specialists across all dental disciplines, Smile Solutions is one of the few environments in Australian private dentistry where periodontists, prosthodontists, implant surgeons, and other specialists work together within the same practice - sharing records, coordinating care, and delivering outcomes that isolated specialty clinics cannot replicate. ### What Is Periodontics? Periodontics is the dental specialty focused on the health of the periodontium - the supporting structures of the teeth, including the gums, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. When disease affects these structures, the consequences progress from reversible gum inflammation (gingivitis) to permanent bone and tissue destruction (periodontitis), and ultimately to tooth loss if left untreated. Specialist periodontists at Smile Solutions have completed their dental degree with honours, followed by a further three to four years of university training at Masters degree or equivalent level focused specifically on the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal conditions. This qualifies them for registration with the Dental Board of Australia as specialist periodontists. Periodontics encompasses far more than treating gum disease. Our specialist periodontists also place and maintain dental implants, perform gum grafting and aesthetic gum contouring, regenerate bone lost to disease, and work closely with prosthodontists in complex restoration cases. ### What Is Periodontal Disease? Periodontal disease, commonly called gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the structures surrounding and supporting the teeth. It begins as gingivitis - inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial plaque accumulating at the gumline. Gingivitis is reversible with appropriate professional cleaning and improved home care. If left untreated, however, it can progress to periodontitis. In periodontitis, the bacterial infection extends deeper beneath the gumline, triggering an immune response that progressively destroys the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone that hold teeth in place. Pockets form between the gum and tooth, harbouring bacteria and becoming increasingly difficult to clean. Over time, bone loss undermines the tooth's structural support, eventually leading to mobility and tooth loss. Signs and symptoms to watch for include: - Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing - Swollen, red, or tender gums - Gum recession (teeth appearing longer than they used to) - Bad breath or a persistent bad taste - Tooth sensitivity, particularly to temperature - Teeth that have shifted or feel loose - Difficulty chewing Many people are unaware they have periodontal disease until significant damage has already occurred. Regular dental check-ups that include periodontal probing and assessment are essential for early detection. ### Gum Disease and Your Overall Health The evidence linking periodontal disease to systemic health is substantial and growing. Gum disease is not merely a local dental problem - it is an inflammatory condition with whole-body consequences. Research has associated chronic periodontitis with: **Cardiovascular disease:** Periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream and contribute to arterial inflammation, with epidemiological data linking gum disease to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. **Diabetes:** The relationship between periodontitis and diabetes is bidirectional - poorly controlled blood sugar worsens gum disease, and chronic gum infection makes blood sugar harder to manage. Treating periodontal disease has been shown to improve glycaemic control in some patients with type 2 diabetes. **Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline:** Emerging research has identified Porphyromonas gingivalis - a key periodontal pathogen - in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, with growing interest in the inflammatory pathway this may represent. **Pregnancy complications:** Periodontal disease in pregnancy has been associated with adverse outcomes including preterm birth and low birth weight, likely through inflammatory and bacteraemic mechanisms. **Longevity:** Chronic systemic inflammation, driven in part by persistent oral infection, is one of the most studied contributors to biological ageing and age-related disease. Maintaining periodontal health is an investment in your overall longevity - not just your smile. At Smile Solutions, we view periodontal care as an integral component of a patient's broader health strategy. ### Our Specialist Periodontists **Dr Ahmed El-Hadidi** BDS, MRACDS (GDP), DCD (Perio) Specialist Periodontist Dr El-Hadidi holds a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Periodontics and membership with the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons. He manages the full spectrum of periodontal care, from non-surgical therapy through to complex surgical procedures, and collaborates closely with the implant and prosthodontic teams. **Dr Peishan Jiang** BDSc (Griff), DClinDent (Griff) Specialist Periodontist Dr Jiang completed both her Bachelor of Dental Science and her Doctor of Clinical Dentistry at Griffith University, where specialist periodontology training is among the most rigorous in Australia. She brings a meticulous, evidence-based approach to periodontal assessment and treatment. **Dr Simon Hinckfuss** BDSc, DCD (Pros), Cert.Perio MS (Minn) Dual Specialist - Specialist Periodontist and Specialist Prosthodontist Dr Hinckfuss holds one of the rarest combinations of qualifications in Australian dentistry: he is registered as both a Specialist Periodontist and a Specialist Prosthodontist. He completed his Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Prosthodontics in Australia and a Certificate in Periodontics with a Master of Science from the University of Minnesota - a program with one of the longest periodontics traditions in the world. This dual specialist qualification is extraordinarily uncommon. It means Dr Hinckfuss can manage both the surgical periodontal and implant phases of complex cases and the prosthetic design and delivery phase - effectively serving as a single specialist for the entire restorative journey. For patients requiring implants in a compromised periodontal environment, or for those with complex combined gum and restoration needs, continuity of specialist care with one clinician is a significant advantage. ### Periodontal Treatments and Services **Active Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy** The first-line treatment for periodontal disease is non-surgical: a thorough, systematic process of removing bacterial deposits from below the gumline through deep scaling and root planing. This is performed under local anaesthesia, working through the mouth in quadrants. The goal is to disrupt and remove the bacterial biofilm and calculus from root surfaces, allowing the immune system to resolve the infection and the tissues to heal. Active therapy is priced per quadrant: - 30-minute quadrant session: $550 - Up to 120-minute quadrant session: $1,500 Treatment may require multiple appointments depending on the extent of disease. **Supportive Periodontal Therapy** Once active disease has been controlled, periodontal patients require ongoing professional maintenance - a more thorough and targeted process than a standard hygiene visit. Supportive periodontal therapy involves reassessment, probing, and cleaning at intervals tailored to each patient's disease risk and response to treatment. - Supportive therapy: $680 **Periodontal Flap Surgery** In cases where non-surgical therapy has not fully resolved deep pockets or bone defects, surgical access may be required. Periodontal flap surgery involves reflecting the gum tissue to provide direct access to root surfaces and bone, allowing thorough debridement and, where appropriate, regenerative procedures. - Periodontal flap surgery: $1,200 - $2,200 **Gingival (Gum) Grafting** Gum recession - whether from periodontal disease, aggressive brushing, or anatomical factors - can expose root surfaces, increase sensitivity, and compromise aesthetics. Gum grafting involves transplanting tissue (typically from the palate) to cover exposed roots and rebuild lost gum architecture. - Single tooth graft: $1,800 - Each additional tooth: $500 **Guided Tissue Regeneration and Bone Grafting** Where bone has been destroyed by periodontal disease, guided tissue regeneration (GTR) uses barrier membranes and bone graft materials to encourage the body to regrow the lost bone and periodontal attachment. This is a highly technique-sensitive procedure with significant potential to reverse some of the structural damage caused by advanced periodontitis. **Crown Lengthening (Gum Lift)** Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that removes excess gum tissue and, where necessary, reshapes the underlying bone to expose more of the tooth's natural crown. It is performed both functionally - to provide access for a restorative margin when decay or fracture extends below the gumline - and aesthetically, to improve the balance and symmetry of the gum line in patients with a "gummy smile." Crown lengthening fees: - Single tooth: $900 - 2-3 anterior teeth: $1,300 - 4-6 anterior teeth: $1,600 - 8 anterior teeth: $2,200 - 10 anterior teeth: $2,600 **Maxillary Sinus Augmentation** When upper jaw bone loss has reduced the height available for implant placement in the posterior maxilla, sinus augmentation creates the necessary volume. This procedure lifts the sinus membrane and introduces bone graft material to build up the floor of the sinus. - Sinus augmentation: $1,300 **Implant Placement** Our specialist periodontists place dental implants as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that accounts for the patient's periodontal health, bone volume, and restoration needs. In cases where Dr Simon Hinckfuss manages the case, both the surgical placement and the final prosthetic restoration can be designed and delivered by the same dual specialist - an unusually seamless experience for patients. **Treatment of Peri-Implant Disease** Implants can develop bacterial infections of their own - peri-implant mucositis (affecting the gum around an implant) and peri-implantitis (affecting the bone). Specialist periodontists are well placed to diagnose and treat these conditions, using professional debridement, laser therapy, and in some cases surgical correction. ### Technology at Smile Solutions **Fotona Laser** Smile Solutions utilises Fotona laser technology for periodontal procedures. Laser-assisted periodontal treatment offers targeted bacterial reduction and tissue management with minimal trauma to surrounding structures, supporting a more comfortable recovery. **KaVo AirFlow** KaVo AirFlow is an advanced prophylaxis system that uses a combination of water, air, and fine powder to remove plaque, staining, and biofilm - including below the gumline - more effectively and comfortably than traditional scaling alone. It is used in both hygiene appointments and as a component of periodontal maintenance visits. ### Periodontics and the Implant Pathway Periodontal health is a prerequisite for implant success. Placing implants into a mouth with untreated or inadequately treated periodontal disease dramatically increases the risk of peri-implantitis - a destructive infection around the implant that can lead to implant failure. Our periodontists assess and treat gum disease first, ensuring the oral environment is healthy before implants are placed. At Smile Solutions, the periodontal and implant teams work in close coordination with our specialist prosthodontists, who design the final restoration. The integration of these disciplines within a single practice - 40 dental suites, more than 20 board-registered specialists, all under one roof - is what distinguishes Smile Solutions from isolated specialist referral practices. ### Consultation Fee and Initial Assessment A comprehensive periodontal consultation at Smile Solutions includes a full periodontal analysis - probing depths, bone level assessment, and risk factor evaluation - in approximately 45 minutes. - Initial specialist periodontal consultation: $300 No referral is required. You can book directly by calling 13 13 96. ### Why Smile Solutions? Smile Solutions was founded in 1993 by Dr Kia Pajouhesh and has grown into Australia's largest single-location private dental practice, spanning five floors and the tower of the iconic Manchester Unity Building at 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD. Our patients have rated us 4.9 stars across 937 Google reviews - not a single negative review. That kind of consistency across thousands of patient journeys reflects a culture of care that runs through every department. Payment plans through Payright, Humm, or MyDentaPlan are available to help manage the cost of periodontal treatment. Complimentary consultations may be offered for certain treatment pathways - please ask when you call. Call us on 13 13 96 to discuss your gum health with our team, or visit us at 220 Collins Street, Melbourne. --- ## The Smile Solutions Group - Referral Network The Collins Street Specialist Centre receives referrals from both Smile Solutions and Core Dental locations across Melbourne, ensuring patients throughout the group have access to specialist care. Core Dental is the suburban arm of the Smile Solutions Group, operating across 7 locations in metropolitan Melbourne. Patients at any Core Dental practice requiring specialist periodontal treatment are referred directly to the Collins Street Specialist Centre at Level 8, Manchester Unity Building, 220 Collins Street - the specialist hub for the entire group. This integrated referral pathway removes the need for patients to navigate external specialist practices. Phone: (03) 9650 2726.