Wisdom Teeth Removal in Gresham, OR
Comfortable Third Molar Extractions
Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons offers wisdom teeth or third molar extractions for patients in Gresham, OR, and the surrounding areas. Third molars are an additional set of teeth that grow under the surface of the gums and, in many cases, are undetectable without proper X-ray evaluation. It is not uncommon for teens and adults to be unaware that they exist until they begin to present significant problems.
Oral surgeons like Dr. Lieblick and Dr. Rehrer have undergone extensive training to safely and effectively remove wisdom teeth. If it’s time for you or your child to have wisdom teeth evaluated by a professional, please contact our Gresham, Oregon, office to schedule an appointment.
Why Should I Get My Wisdom Teeth Removed?
The average human mouth does not have room to fit an extra set of molars, which causes wisdom teeth to try and make room. An impacted wisdom tooth is one that has become trapped beneath the gum tissue and is unable to erupt into the dental arch. Whether a patient has impacted, partially grown, or fully grown wisdom teeth, they are at an increased risk for the development of a multitude of oral and dental problems, and these issues may require extensive or costly procedures to correct.
Impacted wisdom teeth will not erupt on their own and must be surgically removed. Leaving this type of tooth untreated can cause nearby teeth to shift out of place as well as many other health complications, including:
- Bacterial growth, gum disease, and tooth decay
- Misalignment of healthy teeth as the wisdom teeth force dental crowding and shifting throughout the mouth
- Swelling, stiffness, tenderness, pain, and even bad breath caused by periodontal disease
- Increased risk of tumor growth and cyst development, which can cause issues in healthy teeth and the jaw bone
When to Have Wisdom Teeth Removed
Maintaining regular dental health checkups with your general dentist should help you determine when and if the molars are developing in your mouth. If you currently have third molars in your mouth, you should seek treatment as soon as possible to mitigate the issues listed above and avoid costly orthodontic and surgical treatment that may arise from these problems. At Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, we recommend that removal occurs as early as possible, usually during the mid to late teens. The removal process is generally much more rapid and presents fewer complications if the molars are removed early because the roots are not fully developed, and younger patients are more likely to recover quickly from surgery.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery
If you elect to have your molars removed at our office in Gresham, OR, or one of our other three offices, you will receive a thorough oral examination from one of our oral and maxillofacial surgeons, Dr. Russell Lieblick or Dr. Brandon Rehrer. We may take 3D scans of your mouth and teeth and will discuss your options for anesthesia during surgery.
During surgery, your oral surgeon will extract any visible teeth with forceps. Your surgeon will make an incision in the gum tissue to expose and remove the impacted teeth, then place dissolvable sutures. You will rest in our comfortable recovery area until the anesthesia wears off, then be driven home by your prearranged driver.
If you have any questions before your procedure, our office staff and skilled surgical team would be happy to help you in any way possible. It is our goal to ensure that you are fully informed and at ease before receiving treatment and that you completely understand the pre- and post-operative instructions to ensure optimal recovery.
Bank Stem Cells From Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth contain powerful stem cells that have been used to develop regenerative medicine. Choose to have your stem cells stored in a lab after having wisdom teeth removed so they will be ready if you need them in the future. Learn more on our stem cells page or the Stemodontics® website.
Types of Anesthesia
We offer several options for anesthesia to make your experience as comfortable as possible.
Hear From Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
These patients can tell you about the firsthand experience undergoing wisdom tooth removal at our office.
Reviews From Our Wisdom Tooth Removal Patients
"Hi, my name is Haylie, I'm from Camas, and I had my wisdom teeth pulled by Dr. Rehrer. How I would describe this office is cozy, welcoming, and friendly. When I came here, the staff made me feel comfortable. Dr. Rehrer is kind, compassionate, caring, and made me feel safe. The procedure went great. Recovery was quick and 3 days later, I played in a basketball game. Overall, I had an amazing experience here and I would definitely recommend Dr. Rehrer."
"Hi, my name is Claudia and I’m from Fairview. I came to see Dr. Lieblick to get my wisdom teeth removed. Dr. Lieblick was very knowledgeable. He explained everything to me very well. I felt like I understood what was going to happen in the procedure, and he was very comforting as well. The staff here is really friendly. They make you feel really comfortable. From beginning to end, everyone was really nice—[a] calm setting. It was great. Overall my experience was really positive at Beacon. I highly recommend Beacon Oral Surgeons. "
"My name’s Marty, and I’m from The Dalles, Oregon, born and raised. If any of my friends or family needed to get their wisdom teeth removed—I have some friends in Pendlelton, some friends in Portland—I would definitely recommend Beacon Oral Surgery. The procedure went good. I went in a little bit nervous, but they made me feel pretty relaxed here. I knocked out; next thing you know, I wake up, and it’s over. I go and it was done just like that. My recovery was good; it lasted just a couple days, and it was a pretty good experience. Dr. Lieblick did a fantastic job with my operation, and I recommend that doctor."
"Hi, my name is Chelsea from Gresham, and I came to Beacon Oral Surgeons to see Dr. Lieblick to have my wisdom teeth extracted, and then for a dental implant. Dr. Lieblick was awesome. He made me feel very comfortable and welcomed. He’s very calming when he’s explaining things to patients. He assured me, and it was great! The staff is very friendly. They took good care of me. I felt like it was professional throughout the experience. We went through everything as far as what to expect for surgery, so I was prepared. My procedure went very well—better than I expected. Recovery was pretty minimal. From start to finish, it was a great experience, and I was very happy with the outcome. If you want the best care and treatment, you should come to Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. "
"Hi, my name is Jennifer. I’m from Portland, Oregon, and I came to see Dr. Lieblick to get four wisdom teeth removed. The experience with Dr. Lieblick was wonderful. I felt comfortable from start to finish, and the receptionist even took care of my kids while I visited one time, and they’re just the best here. The staff is super friendly. It’s almost like family when you walk in, so I really appreciated that. My recovery was pretty much pain free for the first day, and then I had some discomfort. They called me to check on me, which was great. I came back in and got reassessed, and ever since that point, I was much more comfortable. I’d tell my friends to come see Dr. Lieblick for the great experience that I had. I have friends in Lake Oswego and Oregon City and Portland, of course, and Vancouver, Washington, even, because you’ll drive a distance to go see people that are truly professional and make your recovery easy on such a traumatic surgical procedure. I’d recommend anybody I know. When you’re going to sleep for a procedure, you want to know that you’re in the best of hands, and I felt that from the very beginning because I knew they were true professionals and board certified and that’s very important to me. They put me under, and I didn’t feel a thing, and it was wonderful. I woke up happy!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you get put to sleep when you get your wisdom teeth taken out?
Most patients undergo IV anesthesia, which puts you into a semi-conscious state. You are able to hear and respond to your surgeon, but will wake up when the anesthesia wears off with no memory of the procedure. Be sure to follow the pre-operative instructions closely to prepare for anesthesia.
How painful are wisdom teeth extractions?
Anesthesia helps your surgical procedure be as comfortable as possible. Swelling usually peaks on the third day following surgery. You can manage discomfort with ice packs or over-the-counter pain medication.
How long is wisdom teeth removal recovery?
You can return to your normal routine a few days after surgery, taking care not to disturb your surgical sites. Follow the instructions we provided, and your recovery will be as smooth as possible. The surgical sites will fully heal in about 2 weeks.
Do sutures prevent dry socket?
Sutures prevent bleeding and help the surgical sites heal. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot is dislodged, delaying healing. You can prevent this by avoiding straws and by not smoking. Brush carefully around the surgical sites and try not to chew on the side of your mouth where the clot is forming. Stick to soft foods during recovery and rinse the extraction sites with salt water to prevent infection.
Experience Outstanding Oral Surgery Care
Prepare for your first visit, learn about our services, and more.