Our
Story
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 continues 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 (DJ) 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 retired in 2016 with Dr Diogo (DJ) Godoy Zanicotti taking over the practice.
Our Services
Periodontal Treatment
At WPDI, we provide both non-surgical (including laser-assisted periodontal treatment) and surgical periodontal (gum disease) treatments to restore the health of your gums and prevent tooth loss. Our team of experts will assess your needs and use the latest techniques and technology to provide you with the best possible care.
Gingival Grafting
If you have lost gum tissue due to periodontal disease, injury, or other reasons, we offer gingival grafting procedures to restore your oral health and improve your smile. Our team of experts will assess your needs and provide you with a personalized treatment plan.
Periodontal Supportive
Therapy
Regular "dental cleanings" (Periodontal Supportive Therapy) is essential to maintaining good oral health. Our team of experts will provide you with a thorough cleaning and help you develop a personalized oral hygiene routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Dental Implants
We offer dental implant services to replace missing teeth and restore your smile. Our specialists use state-of-the-art technology and techniques to ensure the best possible outcome for your dental implant procedure.
Bone Grafting
If you have lost bone due to periodontal disease, injury, or other reasons, we offer simple and complex bone grafting procedures to restore your oral health and improve your smile. Our team of experts will assess your needs and provide you with a personalized treatment plan.
Peri-implant Supportive Therapy
Regular dental implant maintenance (Peri-implant Supportive Therapy) is essential to maintaining good oral health and ensuring the longevity of your dental implants. Our team of experts offer a comprehensive maintenance program to ensure the health of your dental implants.
Technology and Services Highlights
Guided implant surgery
Guided dental implant surgery is a state-of-the-art procedure that helps us replace missing teeth with precision and accuracy. Let's break down the process a bit:
​
-
Planning: We will use special 3D scanners to take detailed pictures of your jaw bone and teeth. This gives us a full view of where your nerves, bones, and sinuses are.
-
Virtual Placement: The images from the 3D scans are used to create a virtual model of your mouth. Then we will use this model on a computer to plan exactly where the implants (the artificial tooth roots) should go.
-
Guide Creation: A custom-made guide is then created, which fits over your teeth like a mouthguard. This guide has small holes in it that match where to place the implants.
-
Surgery: During the actual surgery, we will fit the guide in your mouth, and use it to place the implant(s). This makes sure that the implants go exactly where they were planned to go.
Guided implant surgery helps reduce the risk of errors, speeds up the surgery, and often results in a smoother recovery because it can be less invasive.
3D Assisted Bone Grafting Surgery
3D assisted bone grafting surgery is a state-of-the-art procedure used to strengthen the jawbone to support dental implants. If a jawbone is too thin or soft due to tooth loss, a bone graft (like a building foundation) is added to provide a sturdy base. Before surgery, 3D scans create a roadmap of the jaw, aiding us in developing a surgical guide for placing the graft accurately and safely. This is particularly important for complex grafting surgeries. Post-surgery, the body replaces the graft with its own bone over several months, strengthening the area to support an implant.
Guided Biofilm Therapy
Accumulation of plaque/biofilm (a sticky film of bacteria) on teeth is the main cause of gum disease. Gum disease is the main cause of bone loss and teeth loss in adults. Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) is a new, systematic way of cleaning and managing biofilm in your mouth. This process uses the latest equipment like AIRFLOW (spray with biofilm removal properties) and PIEZON (ultrasound w/high capacity biofilm and calculus/tartar removal properties) which are specially designed for deep and effective cleaning.
What's special about GBT is that it's tailored for each person. Your dentist will assess your teeth and gums, and then create a cleaning plan that's just for you. This is done to get the best results. Plus, the treatment is as gentle as possible, so it's more comfortable, safe, and efficient.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is a type of anesthesia used during certain procedures that induces a deeply relaxed, dreamy state, but doesn't fully put you to sleep. Administered via a needle into a vein, it's helpful for easing anxiety or discomfort during long or potentially painful procedures. Afterward, patients typically don't remember much of the procedure. A ride home is needed as it takes time for the sedation effects to wear off.
Pinhole Gingival Rejuvenation
The Chao Pinhole Gum Rejuvenation technique is a modern way of treating receding gums without the need for traditional surgery. If you've ever noticed your gums pulling back from your teeth, making your teeth look longer than usual, that's gum recession. It's a common issue, but it can lead to tooth sensitivity and other dental problems if left untreated.
​
Instead of cutting and stitching your gums, which is what traditional gum surgery involves, the Chao Pinhole technique just makes a tiny hole (about the size of a pin) in your gum tissue. Then, using special tools, we gently loose the gum tissue and slide it back over the parts of your teeth where it had receded.
​
The whole process is minimally invasive, which means it's less painful and has a quicker recovery time compared to traditional gum surgery. Plus, the tiny pinhole made during the procedure heals very quickly, often by the next day.
Cosmetic Gingival (Gums) Procedures
Cosmetic gingival procedures are dental treatments focused on improving the appearance of your gums. These can include addressing issues like receding gums, excessive gum tissue which can make your teeth appear shorter ("gummy smile"), or gum irregularities. The aim is to achieve a balanced, healthy-looking smile. Methods can vary from minimally invasive techniques to more traditional surgery, depending on the specific situation and your needs.
Our Team
Dr Diogo (DJ) Godoy Zanicotti
BDS, Spec(Perio), Spec(Implant), MClinDent(Implant), PhD
Periodontist and Dental Implant Surgeon
DJ has been a specialist Periodontist for 18 years. DJ has specialist degrees in both Periodontics and Dental Implantology (Brazil), a Masters Degree in Clinical Dentistry – Dental Implantology (Brazil), and a PhD on stem cells and dental implants from the University of Otago (New Zealand). He is an active member of numerous national and international dental organisations including the American Academy of Periodontology, The New Zealand Dental Association, New Zealand Society for Sedation in Dentistry, and Australian and New Zealand Academy of Periodontists.
DJ has presented lectures, seminars, and surgical training programmes in New Zealand and Internationally. His literature contributions include scientific articles and textbook chapters. His areas of special interest are dental implants, soft tissue grafting, and bone grafting. DJ is also a passionate advocate of sustainability in Dentistry.
.jpeg)
Dr Rebecca Phemister
BDS, DClinDent(Perio), MRACDS(PDS), MRACDS(Perio)
Periodontist and Dental Implant Surgeon
Rebecca completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the University of Otago in 2017, graduating with distinction and receiving the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons academic prize. Rebecca developed an interest in surgical dentistry whilst working in the Maxillofacial and Dental Department at Waikato Hospital. She then gained valuable experience in a busy Auckland general dental practice before deciding to complete her doctorate in Periodontology. Her doctoral research focused on developing a novel therapeutic agent for treating periodontitis.
With experience in both hospital and general practice Rebecca values clear communication between specialist, patients and their general dentist. She understands that one approach for one patient may not suit another and recognises the importance of building a treatment plan that will work for each individual patient.
Dr Frances Rudimann
BDS, DClinDent(Perio)
Glinecka Goodfellow
CertDentHyg 1998 (Otago Polytechnic)
Periodontist and Dental Implant Surgeon
Dental Hygienist
Frances 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’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.
Shelley Mo
BSC, BOH 2010 (Otago), PostDip Public Health 2011
Dental Hygienist
Shelley graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Human Nutrition) and a Bachelor of Oral Health from the University of Otago in 2010. She further completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health in 2011.
She enjoys helping clients improve their oral health and her particular interest is in treating and maintaining periodontally compromised patients.
​
Shelley's goals are to promote preventive care and instill lifelong oral hygiene habits in her patients. She also aims to create a positive and supportive environment that reduces dental anxiety and fosters a love for dental health in her community.
​
Shelley enjoys the relationships she builds with her patients and their families as well as the chance to educate and empower them about the importance of oral health in overall well-being.
Outside of the practice, Shelley enjoys taking her dog for walks.