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 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!"
"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’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!"
"I'm Lela. I'm from Vancouver, Washington, and I came to Beacon Oral Surgeons to get my wisdom teeth out. When I first walked in, everyone was very friendly. They greeted me with smiles and made me feel right at home. Dr. Rehrer did my wisdom teeth removal. He was very friendly, made me feel very comfortable. My quality of life after I got my wisdom teeth out actually improved. If I had to get another procedure done, I would absolutely come to Beacon Oral Surgeons. If anyone in the Milwaukie or Vancouver areas needed to get their wisdom teeth out, I would definitely tell them to come Beacon Oral Surgeons. Beacon Oral Surgeons is a five-star experience all around."
"My name is Amy from Camas, and I brought my son in to see Dr. Rehrer to have wisdom teeth pulled, bone grafting, and dental implants put in. When we walked in, the front desk was very, very friendly. They welcomed us and made us feel like we were at home. Dr. Rehrer is awesome. He’s fun, friendly, makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the room. Since the surgery, my son has had a really, really positive experience. The dental implants worked perfectly, they look fantastic, and he’s very happy with the results. Overall, we had an awesome experience. I highly recommend Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial 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.
Experience Outstanding Oral Surgery Care
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