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 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 is Lauren. I live in Gresham, and I loved my experience at Beacon Oral Surgery. Dr. Lieblick and his staff were great. I had all my wisdom teeth taken out about five years ago, and haven’t had a problem. My recovery time was so quick, surgery was so great, and the staff was helpful, friendly, kind, supportive. I had a really great experience. I live in Gresham. I used to work in The Pearl and Clackamas and Beaverton, and everyone I’ve ran into over the years who needed to have wisdom teeth out for teenagers or themselves late in life, I always recommend coming to Beacon. The fact that they’re trained and the fact that they do take that extra step to become board certified and recognized by the state is really a comfort for me and for my other family members who have visited Beacon over the years."
"I am Andrew, and I'm from Grass Valley, Oregon. I needed to have my wisdom teeth pulled. I was - I was nervous, just having surgery for once and having my mouth operated on. They were very professional, just kind of laying it out - how it's going to be and how it should be. You know, it's easy to feel comfortable around a bunch of pretty girls. Great! They did a great job; I don't remember it too much, but the job got done, clear and precise. My recovery was fine; they always checked up on me to see how I was doing and how I reacted to the surgery. What I liked about the staff was that they were very professional, courteous, and attentive to my needs. I would recommend Beacon completely."
"Hi, my name is Lana. I’m from Troutdale. My two daughters came here to get their wisdom teeth extracted. The team was very welcoming, even from the time that I walked through the door. They just totally took care of me, made me feel comfortable, offered me coffee. I thought that was just very welcoming and warm right there, and I felt very confident that my children were in great hands. Dr. Lieblick is wonderful. The procedure was quick and easy, and the recovery was great. If there’s another mom out there that I could tell to send their children to Beacon Oral Surgeons, especially for wisdom teeth, they would take care of them like family members. You’re just not going to get any better treatment than you receive with Beacon Oral Surgeons. If I needed an implant or an extraction, I wouldn’t hesitate to see Dr. Lieblick for my future oral surgery needs."
"My name's Angela, and I'm from The Dalles, Oregon. I had to get my wisdom teeth out. I went to see Beacon Oral Surgeons because they have an office in The Dalles, so it was really convenient for me to go there, and I had heard really good things about the staff there. I was really nervous. I had been put to sleep once for another surgery, but I didn't have an IV ever, so I was terrified. From the second I walked in, the office ladies were very friendly, and then the ladies that took me back were friendly. The lady that did my IV was super friendly, and they all just try to make you comfortable and laugh, and it was great. My procedure went perfectly — just super easy. My recovery was a lot faster than I had anticipated. I had minimal swelling, and I think I took the painkillers when I got home and the next day, and then I was done. I would definitely recommend Beacon Oral Surgeons."
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.
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