Entering the abyss – cracks and deep probing depths.

It is tempting to diagnose a tooth with localized severe periodontal breakdown as a cracked tooth and therefore consider it hopeless. This may not be accurate in many cases.

This lecture outlines the differential diagnosis for teeth with such severe periodontal pockets and the systematic approach required to achieve an accurate diagnosis and, in many cases, avoid unnecessary extraction and potentially complex prosthetic treatment.

Dr Ahmed Saleh

BDS(Hons), DClinDent(UWA), MRACDS(perio), FRACDS(perio)

Ahmed Saleh graduated from the School of Dentistry with honours in 2002. He completed the ADC registration and moved to Australia in 2008.

Ahmed practiced general dentistry for 10 years in Egypt and WA before commencing his specialty training in Periodontics and implant dentistry at UWA. He completed his Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Degree in 2014, in addition to being awarded Membership and Fellowship in Periodontics by the RACDS.

For the first 5 years after graduating, he provided

periodontal treatment in private practice in Perth, Geraldton and Albany.

Since completing his specialty program, Ahmed has contributed in a number of voluntary positions including the Australian Society of periodontology (ASP) state treasurer and president, ASP federal treasurer and secretary, RACDS committee, ADA CPD committee and ADA council member.

He served as a Clinical Tutor and Senior Lecturer at the School of Dentistry, UWA for over 10 years. Ahmed has also lectured at different dental conferences nationally and internationally.

His areas of interest include multidisciplinary patient management and implant dentistry. He has recently gained interest in Dental research and has commenced a PhD project.