Welcome to Wellington Periodontics, a practice that has provided periodontics and dental implant services to Wellington for over 65 years.
Our history
The practice was originally established by Dr David Watt in 1950 when he returned from specialist training under the tutelage of the great Harold Box in Toronto Canada and is the oldest specialist periodontal practice in New Zealand. We continue to care for some patients who have been on our records since the 1950’s. Initially, the office was located in the T & G Building on Lambton Quay but moved in the 1970’s to offices on the Terrace. Keith Chapman took over from Dr Watt on his retirement in 1985 when the practice occupied offices in the landmark medical building, Kelvin Chambers. During the 1980s and 90s we were joined first by Dr William Gaudie and later by Dr Morris Wong who both continue to practice in the Wellington region. When Dr Wong left to concentrate on his Lower Hutt Practice in 2015, his place was taken by Dr Diogo Godoy Zanicotti. By 2005 our offices on the Terrace were becoming severely overcrowded and we moved back onto Lambton Quay to our current offices. Dr Keith Chapman recently retired in 2016 with Dr Diogo Godoy Zanicotti now taking over the practice.
About Us
Dr Diogo (DJ) Godoy Zanicotti
BDS, Spec(Perio), Spec(Implant), MClinDent(Implant), PhD
Periodontist
DJ graduated with a BDS from Tuiuti University (Brazil) in 2004, and has been a specialist in Periodontics (2006 - Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba - Unicamp, Brazil) for 10 years. He also has a Masters Degree in Clinical Dentistry (Implant Dentistry) from Universidade Positivo, Brazil and a PhD from the University of Otago, New Zealand. In his PhD, DJ studied the regeneration of bone around implants using stem cells.
DJ is fully registered specialist in Periodontics in New Zealand, Australia, and Brazil. DJ’s special clinical interests are in gum disease treatment, plastic surgery of the gums, bone and gum grafting/regeneration, and dental implants.
Outside of work, he enjoys surfing, golfing, and traveling.
Dr Frances Ruddiman
BDS, DClinDent (Perio)
Periodontist
Dr Frances Ruddiman graduated from the University of Otago with a BDS in 2011. She spent two years working as a Dental and Maxillofacial House Surgeon in Christchurch and Hawke’s Bay Hospital, which developed her interest in surgery and the management of medically complex patients.
Following a year in private practice in Christchurch, Frances returned to Otago to complete her three years of specialist training in the field of Periodontology and Dental Implants. Her DClinDent research focused on biological complications when using non-original parts on dental implants.
Glinecka Goodfellow
CertDentHyg 1998 Otago Polytechnic
Hygienist
Glinecka’s name is (pronounced Glee-net-skuh). She grew up in Poland before immigrating to New Zealand in 1990. She graduated from the Otago Polytechnic as a Dental Hygienist in 1998 and since then has been working in both general dental and periodontal practice. According to Glinecka, treating gum disease has always been her destiny - her parents valued their oral health and were frequent visitors to their local dental surgery. Unfortunately, she inherited their susceptibility to gum disease but luckily upon her arrival in New Zealand this was promptly diagnosed and treated.
Was here in New Zealand that for the first time she experienced treatment with local anaesthetic! Painless dentistry transformed her dental phobia into a passionate fascination. She has a lot of sympathy for people that, like her, have experienced dental pain. She respects the mouth and treats it gently.
Outside of work she spends time at home on the Wellington’s wild South Coast with her family. She also enjoys dancing for Wellington’s premier Polish Dancing group Lublin.
Treatments
Gum (Periodontal) diseases:
Diagnosis: The first step in treating gum disease is to correctly identify the type of disease and its cause. Gum diseases are presented in many forms. Generally, bacteria cause gum diseases. However, virus and fungi can also be the culprit. The development of gum diseases depends on a complex interaction between pathogens, local factors, systemic factors, habits, and genetics. Gum disease can affect only the gums (e.g. gingivitis) or the gums and bone (e.g periodontitis). Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent gum diseases and is more severe than gingivitis. Accordingly to the New Zealand Oral Health survey of 2009, 50% of all people in New Zealand have some form of periodontitis. This increases with age to an astonishing 87% for people with more than 75 years old.
Periodontitis treatment: Periodontitis is an infection caused by bacteria that affects the gum and bone around teeth. This disease may lead to severe bone loss, tooth loss, halitosis (bad breath), poor aesthetics (black spaces in between teeth), tooth drifting out of alignment, etc. The treatment for periodontitis is often non-surgical and done under local anaesthesia. The association of antibiotics to the clinical therapy is also considered. A supportive therapy to ensure the maintenance of long-term health is done throughout the patient’s life.
Periodontitis surgical treatment: When the clinical therapy does not work or the situation is too complex, a surgical procedure to expose the root surfaces and surrounding bone of the teeth involved may be necessary. The surgical procedure may also be associated with antibiotics. A supportive therapy to ensure the maintenance of long-term health is done throughout the patient’s life.
Regenerative surgeries: Some patients with bone loss can benefit from regenerative procedures to regenerate the bone around their teeth. These regenerative procedures involve gum surgery and the use of biomaterials.
Cosmetic procedures:
Plastic and cosmetic surgery of the gums: The gums are an important part of oral aesthetics. The height, contour and colour of the gums have an important impact on the perception of a beautiful smile. We provide a wide range of surgical procedures to make your smile look beautiful.
Dental implants and Bone Grafting:
Dental implants: Dental implants are fixtures anchored in bone that are used to replace missing teeth. These fixtures are made of titanium and replace the roots of the missing teeth. The implants can be used to treat single missing teeth up to full arch ones. Naturally looking dental crowns are attached to the implants.
Bone and gum grafts: Grafting procedures can be done for preserving the bone after a tooth extraction, prior to implant placement to increase the amount and quality of the missing tissue, or to help with the patient’s oral aesthetics and comfort. A wide variety of grafting procedures can be used to achieve these objectives.
Computer designed and guided surgery: Dental implants and bone grafting surgeries need to be precisely done for the best outcome. We use the latest technology in CBCT scan, surgery design software, and 3D printing to assist the placement of dental implants and bone grafting.
Dental hygienist:
Supportive gum therapy: Having continuous preventive care of your teeth and gums by a Dental Hygienist is paramount for the maintenance of healthy gums and teeth. Our hygienists are highly trained and have the advantage of working under the close supervision of our Specialist Periodontists.
Teeth whitening: Teeth whitening is a safe technique used to markedly improve the looks of a smile. Whitening can be done either in the office or at home. We provide both in office and home whitening using the best products and techniques on the market.
CBCT Scan:
We have one of the most advanced Cone Beam Computed Tomography equipment in New Zealand. CBCT scans provide a 3D image of the oral structures for a precise diagnosis which is far superior to regular x-rays. The CBCT scans also provide the basis for computer designed and guided surgery, our most advanced treatments for dental implants and bone grafting.
Sedation and General Anaesthesia:
We offer for our anxious patients or for longer procedures both oral and IV sedations. Sedation is the best method to put the most anxious patient at ease. Our practice has the latest technology in patient monitoring and safety equipment for your peace of mind. If sedation is not an option, DJ treats his patients under general anaesthesia at Bowen Hospital.