Specialist periodontic care in Limerick
At Riverpoint Specialist Dental Clinic, our experienced periodontal team helps patients protect, restore and improve the health of their gums. Using evidence-based techniques, we plan a range of periodontal treatments tailored to your needs and designed to preserve your teeth and support your long-term oral health.
Riverpoint Specialist Dental Clinic
What is Periodontics?
Periodontics is a dental specialty focused on the health of the gums and the bone that supports your teeth. Periodontists complete an additional three years of full-time postgraduate training after qualifying as dentists, specialising in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and gum recession. They are also experts in replacing missing teeth with dental implants and in the bone grafting and gum grafting procedures that are sometimes needed to create a suitable site for implants.
At Riverpoint, our periodontist works closely with a dedicated dental hygienist who plays an essential role in the prevention and maintenance of gum health. The hygienist provides professional cleanings, personalised oral hygiene coaching and regular supportive care visits, typically every three to six months. Together, the periodontal team helps you avoid gum disease, address existing problems and maintain healthy gums for the long term.
Periodontal care also underpins the success of dental implants. Treating gum disease and ensuring solid, healthy bone gives replacement teeth the best possible foundation. At Riverpoint, our periodontist and prosthodontist work together as part of an integrated implant team, combining their expertise in implant placement, bone and gum management and implant restoration to deliver the best overall results.
Some common periodontal issues include:
Common Periodontal Issues
Riverpoint Specialist Dental Clinic
Our Periodontic Services
Why Choose Riverpoint for Periodontic Care
Being told you have gum disease can come as a surprise – many patients are unaware anything is wrong until their dentist spots the signs. Others have been living with bleeding gums or loose teeth for years and have simply got used to it. Either way, the prospect of specialist treatment can feel unfamiliar.
Our periodontal team understands this. At your first visit, we take the time to explain exactly what is happening, show you where the problems are and walk you through the treatment step by step. We believe that patients who understand their condition are better placed to manage it successfully – and gum disease, once treated, is very manageable with the right ongoing care.
What makes a real difference at Riverpoint is the continuity of the team. Your periodontist, Emily Clarke, and your hygienist, Deirdre Flannery, work together closely and know your case inside out. Deirdre's regular maintenance appointments are the backbone of long-term success, catching any early changes before they become problems. And because our prosthodontist and implant team are in the same clinic, if teeth do need to be replaced or restored, the transition is seamless – no new referrals, no repeating your history, no delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is an infection of the gums caused by bacteria in dental plaque. It starts when plaque builds up along the gum line and triggers inflammation, causing the gums to become red, swollen and prone to bleeding. If not treated, the infection gradually deepens, forming pockets between the teeth and gums that harbour even more bacteria. Over time this leads to loss of the bone supporting the teeth, which can cause teeth to loosen, drift or eventually be lost.
The most common early signs are gums that bleed when you brush or floss, redness, swelling and tenderness. As the disease progresses you may notice persistent bad breath, gum recession, pus around the teeth, teeth that feel loose or appear to have shifted position, and pain when chewing.
The main risk factors include smoking, poor oral hygiene, lack of regular professional cleaning, diabetes, stress, certain medications, age and poor nutrition. Smokers are significantly more likely to develop gum disease and tend to respond less well to treatment, so quitting smoking is one of the most helpful steps a patient can take.
Yes. In the majority of cases gum disease can be successfully treated, and the earlier it is addressed the better the outcome. Treatment typically begins with a course of deep cleaning carried out under local anaesthetic, combined with personalised oral hygiene instruction so you can maintain the improvements at home.
Periodontal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic, so the procedure itself is not painful. The gums and teeth can feel a little sensitive afterwards for a day or two, but this usually resolves with standard pain relief such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
After your periodontal treatment is complete, ongoing maintenance is essential. This typically involves professional cleaning appointments with our hygienist every three to six months, depending on your individual needs.
Healthier Gums Start with the Right Team
Gum disease is common, treatable and – with the right ongoing care – very manageable. If you have been told you need periodontal treatment, or if you have noticed bleeding, recession or looseness that concerns you, our periodontal team is here to help. Get in touch to arrange a consultation and take the first step towards gums you can rely on.