Wisdom Teeth Removal in The Dalles, OR
Protect Your Oral Health
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to grow into your mouth. Most wisdom teeth begin developing around the age of 17 or during the early twenties, although the teeth can start forming beneath the gums as early as age 12. Because they are so large, most people’s mouths are too small to accommodate the extra molars. Without adequate space to grow in, they may grow at an angle, leave you susceptible to infections, or cause other oral health complications.
Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common procedures we perform at Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in The Dalles, OR. If you live near The Dalles or one of our other office locations, our board-certified oral surgeons will make sure that your procedure is performed using the safest, most advanced techniques available.
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
If your third molars grow in without causing problems for your surrounding teeth or gum tissue, they may not need to be removed. However, it is rare for wisdom teeth to properly develop without causing any problems. Even molars that appear to be growing in fine can suddenly change course and start to grow sideways. It’s important to have regular dental exams to track the development of your molars. When your general dentist notices your wisdom teeth are starting to develop, he or she will refer you to an oral surgeon to have them removed.
Leaving wisdom teeth untreated can lead to many health issues. An impacted wisdom tooth is one that has become trapped beneath the gum and must be surgically removed because it will not properly erupt into the dental arch. An impacted tooth is difficult to properly clean, possibly leading to infection or the formation of cysts and tumors. Severe infections can develop into gum disease, which puts your other teeth and gum tissue at risk. Wisdom teeth can also damage other nearby roots and facial nerves.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
You can have wisdom teeth removed at any age. Most dental professionals recommend removing the teeth during the earlier stages of development, potentially before they emerge from the gums (generally between ages 16 and 20 or so). The teeth are smaller and easier to remove at these stages, making the overall procedure easier for the patient. Even if your molars are fully grown in, Dr. Lieblick and Dr. Rehrer will use advanced digital imaging to determine their exact size and location and develop a treatment plan for you.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
If you need to have your third molars removed, you will likely be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Our surgeons at Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in The Dalles, OR, have years of experience extracting them using the most reliable and least invasive methods possible. Our surgeons are also certified to administer a variety of anesthesia and sedation options, including general anesthesia, to ensure your comfort and safety.
First, you will have a consultation with one of our oral surgeons, who will fully examine your condition and discuss your treatment plan. This appointment is a good opportunity for you to ask questions about your procedure and anesthesia options. We will take 3D scans of your mouth to produce detailed images of your bone structure.
On the day of your surgery, your oral surgeon will administer the anesthesia. Your surgeon will extract the teeth and place dissolvable sutures where needed. You will need a designated driver to bring you home after your surgery is complete.
Stem Cell Banking with Stemodontics®
Body: Your wisdom teeth contain many stem cells, which can be stored in a laboratory after your wisdom teeth are removed. By banking stem cells with Stemodontics, you are given peace of mind when it comes to future health crises because these important cells can differentiate into different types of cells in the body. Ask your oral surgeon today or visit the Stemodontics® website to learn more.
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, I'm Nickie, and I'm from The Dalles, Oregon. I went to Beacon to have my wisdom teeth extracted. I had waited a good 12 years to have my wisdom teeth extracted due to fear. The staff at Beacon — it was just super friendly from the beginning. Very knowledgeable, which made me feel totally comfortable. I'm the nightmare patient that's totally terrified of all things dentistry, so it really was nice to have that comforting feeling from them from the beginning. It was awesome. It was about a half an hour long from what I remember — I did go to sleep for my extractions — went straight home to bed. Everything was great. Post-op went really well. One day down time and then the next day was shopping in Portland. I would recommend Beacon to everyone that needs to have anything done with an oral surgeon. They are awesome."
"Hi, my name is Carolyn. I’m from Lake Oswego, Oregon. [I] brought my 17-year-old son in to have his wisdom teeth removed with Dr. Lieblick. I would say one of the things that I noticed that stood out to me the most was the energy level. Coming in—great energy, felt very comfortable. The staff was really friendly. They were very welcoming. Dr. Lieblick has a very relaxed mannerism about him. He was very thorough in explaining everything that was going to happen. We left the patient consult feeling very comfortable and much more at ease than we did walking in the front door. For my friends and family in Milwaukie and in The Dalles, I highly recommend Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
"Hi! My name’s Jodie, and I live in Camas, Washington, and I brought my daughter, Absity, to Dr. Rehrer to have her wisdom teeth taken out. What I like about Dr. Rehrer is just his down-to-earth nature. He’s so knowledgeable and so good, and he made my daughter feel so comfortable in a kind of stressful situation. He was amazing with her. They were fantastic! Really, it was pretty easy, as a mom. They just brought me in, and I sat in the waiting room. They brought her back, and then they came and tapped me on the shoulder, and said, “Hey, she’s ready for you to pick her up.” They were fantastic, and they followed up with me as far as how she was doing, and how her treatment had been. They were outstanding. Having lived in Vancouver for almost twenty years, I have friends all over – in Vancouver, in Portland, in Camas. Of course, being a mother of four, I have tons of friends who are going to go through this very same thing, and I tell them all the time, “When your child is ready for their wisdom teeth to be taken out, Dr. Rehrer--He’s your guy. He’s just awesome. He makes you feel so good about what’s being done with your child, and you just kind of wait and relax, and you’re good to go.” I would just like to say that Dr. Rehrer is a phenomenal person. He’s a great oral surgeon; he’s a great man. He cares, he checks in with his patients, he makes them top priority. He’s just a wonderful person to be around, and a wonderful guy."
"Hi, my name is Alison from Camas, Washington, and I came to see Dr. Leiblick to have my wisdom tooth removed. Beacon Oral Surgery was very welcoming, and they made me feel very comfortable. Dr. Leiblick was very thorough. He explained exactly what he was going to do in the surgery, and he made me feel very confident. The staff here at Beacon Oral Surgery are very friendly, and I feel that they are very professional. I had an excellent experience. The surgery, actually, went much, much better than I expected. For my friends and family in Camas and Vancouver, I highly recommend Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
"Hi, my name’s Melinda. I live in Camas, and I’m the mother of two teenage sons who had their wisdom teeth taken out from Dr. Rehrer. I’m a mother of five children, and so I see lots of doctors. I have four sons, and they get hurt a lot. What I like about Dr. Rehrer is that he has great bedside manner. He’s personable, he cares about his patients, and he’s interested in them. Everybody was really friendly, willing to answer all my questions, and always asking what they could do to help and make our experience positive. I have friends that live in Vancouver and Washougal, and I always recommend them to go to Dr. Rehrer because he’s just a competent, caring surgeon who I know I can trust and depend on to do a great job. Dr. Rehrer, he’s the best!"
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to have wisdom teeth removed?
The cost of having wisdom teeth removed will depend on how many teeth you need to have removed, your dental insurance, your choice of anesthesia, and the overall extent of your surgery. We will go over all of these factors during your first visit so you know exactly what to expect.
How many days do I need off for wisdom tooth removal?
You can expect to return to your normal routine a few days after having wisdom teeth removed. On the day of your surgery, you can expect to feel sleepy and rest for the remainder of the day. Many patients feel fine the next day and are able to resume normal activities.
How should I prepare for wisdom teeth removal?
If you are undergoing anesthesia, be sure to follow your pre-operative instructions closely. You are to have nothing to eat or drink after 12:00 midnight the night before your appointment—not even a sip of water. A responsible adult must accompany you to the office, stay in the office during your procedure, and take you home. This adult should remain with you for 24 hours while you’re still under the effects of anesthesia.
What can I expect during recovery after having wisdom teeth removed?
Everything you need to know is outlined in your post-operative instructions. Rinse your mouth with a salt water solution to prevent infection and keep the extraction sites clean. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot becomes dislodged. To avoid dry socket, do not use straws and do not smoke for 1 week following surgery. Stick to soft foods and ramp up your diet as tolerated. Pain and swelling can be managed with ice packs and over-the-counter pain medications. If you ever have questions, contact our office and we will be happy to help you.
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