Periodontics generally begins with an assessment and evaluation of a patient’s gum tissue (known as periodontal tissue). It can be assisted in the surgery by the removal of plaque, calculus (tartar) and general staining, as well as the application of decay-preventing agents as required. And it is best maintained at home by means of a dental care routine specifically designed by your general dentist or dental hygienist.

However, there are some circumstances in which a patient may require additional advanced periodontal treatment, known as periodontics.

Periodontics is the field of dentistry that encompasses implant surgery, bone grafts, gum lifts, and treatment of gingivitis and periodontal disease (gum disease).

The purpose of implant surgery is to replace missing teeth or teeth that cannot be saved by conventional means. Implants range from single-tooth replacement to a complete upper and lower arch replacement. Bone grafting, or bone augmentation, involves the insertion of synthetic filler bone to encourage growth of the natural bone around it. A gum lift is a cosmetic lifting of the gum line of the front six teeth, these days done using laser – a quick, effective and virtually painless procedure that does not require stitches and heals well.

Dr James van den Berg
BDSc (Birm), MClinDent (Lond), PGDipCD (Melb), MRACDS (Perio)

Dr James van den Berg graduated from Birmingham Dental School in 1993 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. Over the next four years he worked in general practice, where he developed a growing interest in periodontics.

In 1999 he obtained his Master of Clinical Dentistry (in the field of periodontics) from the Royal London Dental Hospital and then worked in private practice, and lectured at the Royal London Dental Hospital, in the field of periodontics.

After emigrating to Australia in 2001 Dr van den Berg worked in private practice limited to the field of periodontics and implant placement, as well as lecturing at the Royal Melbourne Dental School. He has lectured within a number of implant surgical courses as well as in the use of lasers in surgical periodontal care, a special interest of his. He also has a special interest in the treatment of peri-implants.

In 2013 Dr van den Berg obtained a post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry in the field of periodontics from the University of Melbourne and in 2013 he was invited to become a member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in the specialist field of periodontics.

Dr van den Berg is registered with the Dental Board of Australia as a specialist periodontist. He is a member of the Australian Dental Association, the Australian Periodontal Society, the Australian Osseointegration Society and the British Society of Periodontology.

Dr Ahmed El Hadidi
BDS, MRACDS (GDP), DCD (perio)

Ahmed completed his specialty degree in Periodontics from the University of Melbourne following his 15 years of practice as a general dentist. He graduated from Cairo and then moved to Australia in 2010, where he practiced in Launceston, then Sydney, before settling in Melbourne in 2016. While practicing all fields of dentistry, Ahmed’s passion and interest were in the fields of periodontics and implant dentistry, motivating him to join the specialty program in 2020. His research thesis aimed to identify the DNA mutations increasing the susceptibility to periodontal disease. This will help build a susceptibility profile for our patients, enabling us to offer them a tailored management plan and thus apply the precision medicine principle.

Ahmed is a member of ADA, AOS, ASP, and ITI organizations, which helps continuously update his professional knowledge. Ahmed provides a range of procedures, including non-surgical/surgical periodontal therapy, regenerative procedures, hard and soft tissue grafting, aesthetic procedures (e.g. crown lengthening, managing recession defects), and all aspects of implant dentistry.

Outside dentistry, Ahmed enjoys his free time with his family. He enjoys fishing during the holidays and is always ready to play tennis.