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
"I’m Katelyn, and I live in Happy Valley, Oregon, and I came to Beacon Oral Surgeons to have all four of my wisdom teeth removed. I heard about Beacon Oral Surgeons because I've had a few friends that have been here, and they had a great experience, so I thought it’d be a great place to come as well. My experience at Beacon Oral Surgeons was amazing. Dr. Lieblick was really calming, really professional, and he knows a lot about what he’s doing. And the staff that worked with him that day as well — they were awesome. I felt like I was in very good hands. My recovery went very smooth. I healed perfect. My experience was great from the beginning to the end. If any of my friends that live in Happy Valley needed to have their wisdom teeth removed, I'd highly recommend they see Beacon Oral Surgeons in their Milwaukee location. It’s a quick drive and easy to get to."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"My name is Vance, and I’m from The Dalles, Oregon. I went to see Dr. Lieblick because it was time to get my wisdom teeth taken out. When I went in for my initial consultation, I was a little nervous, but the staff were very helpful, and they were very courteous and very professional, and they put me at ease. The staff told me that they were going to put me under, and before I knew it, I woke up, and my wisdom teeth were out. I was a little groggy. The recovery after I got my wisdom teeth taken out was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I would recommend Dr. Lieblick for wisdom teeth extraction because he’s a good doctor, he was very helpful, and he’s very professional."
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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