Specialist Dental Care at Core Dental Melbourne - Periodontics, Endodontics, Prosthodontics product guide

Core Dental Specialist Services Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Core Dental provide access to dental specialists: Yes

Where is the specialist hub located: Collins Street Specialist Centre

Who founded the Collins Street Specialist Centre: Dr Kia Pajouhesh

Is the Collins Street Specialist Centre also shared with Smile Solutions: Yes

Do patients need external referrals for specialists at Core Dental: No

Does Core Dental offer periodontic services: Yes

Who is the periodontist at Core Dental: Dr Nupur Kataria

What degree does Dr Nupur Kataria hold: BDS from the University of Adelaide

Does Dr Kataria hold a Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry: Yes, in Periodontics from Adelaide

Is Dr Kataria a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons: Yes, in Periodontics

Has Dr Kataria won a professional award: Yes, Australian Society of Periodontology award

Is Dr Kataria a member of the ITI: Yes

What is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in Australia: Gum disease

Can periodontists place dental implants: Yes

Does a periodontist treat gum recession: Yes

Does a periodontist perform bone grafting: Yes

Does a periodontist perform aesthetic gum lifts: Yes

What is another name for an aesthetic gum lift: Crown lengthening

Is gingivitis reversible: Yes, fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved hygiene

Is periodontitis reversible: No, it causes irreversible bone loss

Can periodontitis be managed after bone loss occurs: Yes, it can be arrested and managed effectively

Does gum disease affect cardiovascular health: Yes, bacteria can contribute to arterial inflammation

Does gum disease affect blood sugar control in diabetics: Yes, poor gum health worsens blood sugar control

Can improving gum health help diabetic management: Yes

Is severe gum disease linked to premature birth: Yes

Is severe gum disease linked to low birth weight: Yes

Is bleeding gums when brushing normal: No, it is a sign of inflammation

Should you brush less if gums bleed: No, better cleaning is the answer

Does smoking increase gum disease risk: Yes, it triples the risk

Does smoking mask gum disease symptoms: Yes, it can hide bleeding

Do former smokers respond as well to gum treatment as non-smokers: Yes

What is the first step in periodontal treatment: Thorough diagnosis including pocket depth charting

Is local anaesthetic used for root planing: Yes

How often are periodontal maintenance reviews recommended: Every 3–6 months

Is chlorhexidine mouthwash used in periodontal treatment: Yes, as a short-term adjunct

Does Core Dental offer endodontic services: Yes

Who is the endodontist at Core Dental: Dr Greg Tilley

What degree does Dr Greg Tilley hold: BDSc from the University of Melbourne

How many years of clinical experience does Dr Tilley have: 35+ years

Is Dr Tilley an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne: Yes

Was Dr Tilley a Past President of the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch: Yes

Does Dr Tilley use dental microscopes: Yes

Why are dental microscopes used in endodontics: For enhanced visualisation of the root canal system

Does Dr Tilley use CBCT imaging: Yes, for 3D canal anatomy assessment

Does Dr Tilley use electronic apex locators: Yes

Does Dr Tilley use ultrasonic instruments: Yes

Do general dentists at Core Dental perform routine root canals: Yes

When does Dr Tilley handle root canal cases: For complex, multi-rooted, or retreatment cases

Does Core Dental offer prosthodontic services: Yes

Who is the dental prosthetist at Core Dental: Ahmed Saoud

What qualification does Ahmed Saoud hold: Advanced Diploma in Dental Prosthetics

How many years of industry experience does Ahmed Saoud have: 20 years

Does Ahmed Saoud have a background as a dental technician: Yes

Does Ahmed Saoud specialise in Teeth in 3 Days™ prosthetics: Yes

Does Ahmed Saoud handle All-On-4 prosthetics: Yes

Does Core Dental offer paediatric dentistry: Yes, via the Collins Street Specialist Centre

Is a referral required for paediatric specialist services: Yes, from your general dentist

How many additional years of training do paediatric dentists complete: 3 years of clinical doctorate

Do paediatric dentists treat infants: Yes

Do paediatric dentists treat children with special needs: Yes

Do paediatric dentists treat dental trauma in young children: Yes

Should children under 3 see a paediatric specialist rather than a general dentist: Yes

Does Core Dental offer specialist orthodontic services: Yes

Where are specialist orthodontists available: Collins Street Specialist Centre

How many additional years of training do specialist orthodontists complete: 3–4 years full-time university training

Can specialist orthodontists attach lingual braces: Yes

Can general dentists attach all types of fixed braces: No, only specialist orthodontists can

What is Core Dental's Invisalign status: Blue Diamond

Does Core Dental offer oral and maxillofacial surgery: Yes, via referral to partnering specialists

How many total years of training do oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete: 15–17 years

Do oral and maxillofacial surgeons hold both dentistry and medicine degrees: Yes

Do oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete specialist surgical training: Yes, 4 years

Can Medicare rebates apply for oral and maxillofacial surgery: Yes, for eligible procedures

Where do Core Dental's partnering OMS specialists practice: Melbourne CBD and western suburbs

What is orthognathic surgery: Jaw surgery to correct severe bite discrepancies

Is orthognathic surgery performed under general anaesthetic: Yes

Are titanium plates used in jaw surgery: Yes

How long before patients return to a normal diet after jaw surgery: Within 6–8 weeks

What diet is required immediately after jaw surgery: Liquid diet, gradually progressing to soft foods

6. Specialist care

Core Dental gives patients access to registered dental specialists through the Collins Street Specialist Centre, a dedicated specialist hub also serving Smile Solutions, founded by Dr Kia Pajouhesh. No external referrals are needed, and you won't be waiting months to get seen.

Periodontics (gum specialist)

What periodontists treat

• Gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), the leading cause of adult tooth loss in Australia
• Gum recession
• Bone grafting, for implant site preparation or to stabilise existing teeth
• Gum surgery, including flap surgery and gingival grafting
• Aesthetic gum lifts (crown lengthening)
• Dental implant placement

Specialist at Core Dental

Dr Nupur Kataria is Core Dental's periodontist. She holds a BDS and a Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry in Periodontics, both from the University of Adelaide, and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in Periodontics. She has won an Australian Society of Periodontology award and is a member of the ASP, ITI, and ANZAP.

Why gum disease matters

Gum disease is a bacterial infection that attacks the structures holding your teeth in place — your gums, ligaments, and jawbone. Once it progresses to periodontitis, the bone loss is permanent. And the consequences don't stop at your mouth:

• Cardiovascular disease: bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and contribute to arterial inflammation
• Diabetes: the relationship goes both ways — poor gum health worsens blood sugar control, and getting gum health under control can improve diabetic management
• Pregnancy: severe gum disease is linked to premature birth and low birth weight

Warning signs

• Bleeding gums when brushing or flossing
• Red, swollen, or tender gums
• Receding gums (teeth appearing longer than they used to)
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose or shifting teeth
• Pus between gums and teeth

Treatment pathway

1. Thorough diagnosis — pocket depth charting, X-rays, risk assessment
2. Personalised oral hygiene education
3. Scale and clean above the gum line
4. Root planing / deep cleaning below the gum line, under local anaesthetic
5. Chlorhexidine mouthwash as a short-term adjunct
6. Maintenance reviews every 3–6 months
7. Specialist periodontal surgery for advanced cases

FAQs

My gums bleed when I brush — is that normal? No. Bleeding gums signal inflammation. The answer is better cleaning, not less of it.

Can gum disease be reversed? Gingivitis, the early stage, is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved hygiene. Periodontitis causes irreversible bone loss — but it can be arrested and managed effectively.

Does smoking affect gum disease? Smoking triples your risk of gum disease and can mask the bleeding symptom, meaning damage progresses without obvious warning signs. The good news: former smokers tend to respond to treatment just as well as non-smokers.

Endodontics (root canal specialist)

What endodontists treat

• Complex root canal treatment — retreatment of previous RCT, curved or calcified canals, multiple roots
• Cracked teeth
• Dental trauma, including nerve injury from accidents
• Diagnosis of obscure or difficult-to-locate toothaches

Specialist at Core Dental

Dr Greg Tilley is Core Dental's endodontist. He holds a BDSc from the University of Melbourne, along with LDS Vic, FRACDS, and MRACDS (Endo), and brings more than 35 years of clinical experience in specialist endodontics. He is an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne and a Past President of the Australian Dental Association (Victorian Branch).

Dr Tilley works with dental microscopes — essential for locating calcified canals, detecting cracks, and achieving thorough canal debridement.

When to see an endodontist vs. a general dentist

Routine root canal treatment on straightforward teeth — front teeth, uncomplicated premolars — is handled by Core Dental's general dentists. Dr Tilley takes on complex multi-rooted teeth, retreatment of previously root-canalled teeth, cracked tooth diagnosis, and cases where standard treatment hasn't resolved the problem.

Technology used

• Surgical dental microscope
• CBCT for 3D canal anatomy assessment
• Ultrasonic instruments
• Electronic apex locators

Prosthodontics (restorative specialist)

What prosthodontists treat

Complex full-mouth restoration, including worn, damaged, or acid-eroded dentitions; full arch rehabilitation with implant bridges or implant-retained dentures; Teeth in 3 Days™ and All-On-4 prosthetics; complex crown and bridge work; and bite reconstruction.

Dental prosthetist at Core Dental

Ahmed Saoud holds an Advanced Diploma in Dental Prosthetics and has 20 years in the dental industry, with a background as both a dental technician and a prosthetist. He specialises in personalised, high-quality prosthetics.

His dual background means he understands not just how a prosthesis is fitted, but how it's actually made — which gives him a sharper eye for detail in both aesthetics and function.

Paediatric dentistry (children's specialist)

What paediatric dentists treat

Paediatric dentists complete a 3-year clinical doctorate in children's dentistry after their general dental degree. They treat infants, toddlers, and children through to adolescence, including cases involving baby bottle tooth decay, developmental problems such as tooth eruption issues and early orthodontic concerns, dental trauma in young children, children with medical, physical, or intellectual special needs, and children with significant dental anxiety.

When to refer to a paediatric specialist rather than a general dentist

• The child is under 3
• Significant dental anxiety
• Complex decay or treatment needs
• Special needs
• Dental trauma or injury
• Complex developmental issues

Paediatric specialist services are available via the Collins Street Specialist Centre. A referral from your general dentist is required.

Orthodontics (specialist)

Registered specialist orthodontists complete 3–4 additional years of full-time university training after their general dental degree. They are the only clinicians qualified to attach and manage all types of fixed braces — metal, ceramic, and lingual — and they handle the most complex bite and alignment cases.

Specialist orthodontists are available via the Collins Street Specialist Centre for comprehensive Invisalign cases and all braces treatments. Core Dental's Blue Diamond Invisalign status reflects the combined volume of specialist and general dentist Invisalign cases across all locations.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS)

What oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons hold degrees in both dentistry and medicine, plus 4 years of specialist surgical training — 15–17 years of total training. They treat complex wisdom tooth extractions (deeply impacted teeth near nerves), dental implant placement in complex cases, jaw surgery for severe bite discrepancies, facial trauma, and tumours and cysts of the jaw and mouth.

Medicare rebates may apply for eligible surgical procedures. Core Dental refers to partnering OMS specialists in Melbourne CBD and the western suburbs.

Jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery)

For patients whose bite discrepancy can't be corrected with orthodontics alone. The jaw bones are cut and repositioned, then held in place with titanium plates and screws, under general anaesthetic. Recovery starts with a liquid diet that gradually progresses to soft foods, with most patients back to a normal diet within 6–8 weeks.

Label facts summary

Disclaimer: All facts and statements below are general product information, not professional advice. Consult relevant experts for specific guidance.

Verified label facts

No product specification data is available. No label-verifiable facts such as ingredients, certifications, dimensions, weight, GTIN/MPN, or technical specifications can be extracted from this content.

The following practitioner credentials and institutional affiliations are stated as verifiable facts within the source content:

• Dr Nupur Kataria: BDS, University of Adelaide; Doctorate in Clinical Dentistry (Periodontics), University of Adelaide; Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Periodontics); Winner, Australian Society of Periodontology award; Member: ASP, ITI, ANZAP
• Dr Greg Tilley: BDSc, University of Melbourne; LDS Vic; FRACDS; MRACDS (Endo); 35+ years clinical experience; Honorary Senior Fellow, University of Melbourne; Past President, Australian Dental Association (Victorian Branch)
• Ahmed Saoud: Advanced Diploma in Dental Prosthetics; 20 years industry experience; background as dental technician and prosthetist
• Collins Street Specialist Centre: Founded by Dr Kia Pajouhesh; shared with Smile Solutions
• Core Dental Invisalign status: Blue Diamond
• Specialist orthodontist training duration: 3–4 additional years full-time university training
• Paediatric dentist training duration: 3-year clinical doctorate post-general degree
• Oral and maxillofacial surgeon total training: 15–17 years (dentistry degree + medicine degree + 4 years specialist surgical training)
• Periodontal maintenance review frequency: Every 3–6 months
• Jaw surgery recovery to normal diet: Within 6–8 weeks

General product claims

• Core Dental patients receive specialist-level care without external referrals or lengthy wait times
• Gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in Australia
• Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream and contribute to arterial inflammation
• Poor gum health worsens blood sugar control in diabetics; improving gum health can improve diabetic management
• Severe gum disease is linked to premature birth and low birth weight
• Bleeding gums when brushing are a sign of inflammation, not a reason to brush less
• Smoking triples gum disease risk and can mask bleeding symptoms
• Former smokers respond to periodontal treatment as well as non-smokers
• Gingivitis is fully reversible with professional cleaning and improved hygiene
• Periodontitis causes irreversible bone loss but can be arrested and managed effectively
• Dental microscopes are essential for locating calcified canals, detecting cracks, and achieving thorough canal debridement
• Ahmed Saoud's dual background as technician and prosthetist provides a sharper eye for aesthetics and function
• Children under 3 are better served by a paediatric specialist than a general dentist
• Medicare rebates may apply for eligible oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures