Perio Partners

It's a common question with not such a simple answer.

Once you have been diagnosed as a periodontal patient, you will always be considered at risk of future gum disease. It is a condition which requires long term management rather than one off treatment to provide a cure. This is why we prefer the term "Supportive Periodontal Treatment" (SPT).

🦷 Control of plaque above the gum line - Periodontists have tools and tricks for almost every situation to make you a super cleaner!
🦷 Meticulous control of plaque below the gum line - once gum pockets are deeper than 3mm then special tools are required
🦷 Assessment of any LOCAL factors contributing to gum disease - root grooves, fillings below the gum line, dental implants and many more factors can complicate how gum disease behaves. These factors can change between appointments and need to be mananged.
🦷 Assessment of any SYSTEMIC factors contributing to gum disease - your general health is a significant contributor to gum disease activity. Reassessment of changes is essential at every visit and can change how often you need to attend for SPT. Your periodontist may liaise directly with your medical practitioner/s for your best health outcomes.
🦷 Surgical intervention - the need for surgical intervention is a highly personalised decision. Periodontists receive extensive training during their specialist degree in all the types of surgery which can be considered, and most importantly when they are appropriate for you.

We love our general dentists because they are the "general managers" of your oral health and will direct you where you need to go for the best help. Periodontists are highly specialised in all things gums and some people just need a bit more than a regular scale and clean.

If you're worried at all, feel free to chat to your local dental professional.Alternatively you can book an appointment directly with a Periodontist in your area without the need for referral.

A big welcome to Dr Tami Yap who will be joining our practice!

Tami completed a Bachelor of Dental Science with Honours at Melbourne University in 2006. In 2013 she became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and returned to postgraduate training in the specialty of Oral Medicine and completed a PhD in molecular diagnostics in oral cancer. Tami is senior lecturer at the Melbourne Dental School and enjoys teaching and research. She works clinically at the Alfred Hospital, Royal Dental Hospital, the Skin Health Institute and is part of the multidisciplinary Dermatology team at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Perio Partners would like to welcome Professor Ivan Darby to the team at our clinic! Prof Darby will be working (one day a week) on Wednesdays, starting 16/10/2019.

Prof Darby is the current Head of Periodontics at the Melbourne Dental School. In addition, he also has involvement in the Grad Dip Clin Dent (implants), DClinDent, DDS and BOH periodontics and implant surgery components. Ivan is also Director of Postgraduate Research at the Melbourne Dental School. Ivan is a past President of the ANZ division, Periodontal Research Group and Asia Pacific Region of the IADR. He is also Editor of the ASP journal, Periodontology