Specialist oral surgery in Limerick
At Riverpoint Specialist Dental Clinic, our specialist oral surgeon provides a full range of surgical procedures in a calm, supportive environment. Whether you need a wisdom tooth removed, a biopsy of a soft-tissue lesion or treatment under intravenous sedation, you can be confident that you are in experienced, expert hands.
Riverpoint Specialist Dental Clinic
What is Oral Surgery?
Oral surgery is a dental specialty focused on the surgical management of conditions affecting the teeth, jaws, mouth and surrounding structures. Oral surgeons complete several years of additional postgraduate training after qualifying as dentists, developing expertise in surgical extractions, the management of impacted teeth, biopsies of oral lesions, jaw joint disorders and the provision of intravenous sedation.
At Riverpoint, our oral surgeon Dr Norma O'Connor is a registered specialist in oral surgery with the Irish Dental Council. She trained at the Edinburgh Postgraduate Dental Institute and holds a Fellowship in Oral Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. She provides the full range of oral surgery services under local anaesthetic or, where appropriate, under intravenous sedation to help anxious patients feel completely relaxed throughout their procedure.
Because Riverpoint brings together multiple dental specialists under one roof, your oral surgery treatment can be coordinated seamlessly with any other specialist care you may need. This joined-up approach means you receive the right care, from the right specialist, at the right time.
Some common oral surgery issues include:
Common Oral Surgery Issues
Riverpoint Specialist Dental Clinic
Our Oral Surgery Services
Why Choose Riverpoint for Oral Surgery
For many patients, the thought of having a wisdom tooth out or a biopsy is more stressful than the procedure itself. We understand that, and our approach is shaped by it.
Dr Norma O'Connor brings consultant-level training from Edinburgh and over a decade of experience at Riverpoint to every procedure. But what patients most often comment on is her calm, unhurried manner and the time she takes to explain what will happen and answer questions before anything begins. For patients who are particularly anxious, intravenous sedation is available so that the procedure feels distant and over quickly.
Practically, being part of a multi-specialist clinic means that if your oral surgery is one step in a bigger treatment plan – for example, extractions followed by implants, or a biopsy alongside ongoing restorative work – the coordination happens naturally between colleagues who already work together daily. There are no separate waiting lists or referral forms between specialties. And Dr O'Connor is registered with VHI, Laya, Irish Life and Garda Medical Aid, so many procedures are covered or partially covered by your insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. Wisdom teeth that have come through fully and are healthy, well-positioned and easy to keep clean do not usually need to be removed. Removal is generally recommended when wisdom teeth cause repeated infections, decay, damage to neighbouring teeth or cyst formation.
The procedure depends on the position of the tooth. Upper wisdom teeth are usually simpler and quicker to remove. Lower wisdom teeth, particularly those that are impacted, may require a small incision in the gum and the removal of a small amount of surrounding bone.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic so you will not feel pain during the surgery. If you are anxious, intravenous sedation is available and most patients who choose this option have little or no memory of the procedure.
Most patients feel significantly better within five to seven days. You should eat only soft foods for the first day or two, avoid rinsing your mouth for the first 24 hours, and then gently rinse with warm salt water after meals for the following week.
Intravenous sedation involves administering a sedative drug through a small needle placed in your arm or the back of your hand. Within a few moments you will feel deeply relaxed and drowsy.
We welcome referrals from dentists and doctors and are happy to work closely with your referring practitioner throughout your treatment. If you do not have a referral, you are also welcome to contact us directly to arrange a consultation.
Gentle, consultant level care in a calm environment
Whether it is a troublesome wisdom tooth, a lesion that needs investigating or a procedure you have been putting off because of nerves, our oral surgeon is here to help you get it sorted calmly and efficiently. Contact us to arrange a consultation – most patients tell us they wished they had done it sooner.