Comfortable Third Molar Extractions
Most people don’t have enough room in their dental arch to accommodate an extra set of molars, which is why dental professionals recommend having them removed. Also called third molars, wisdom teeth typically develop around the age of 17 or during the early twenties. If left untreated, they can cause many oral health complications.Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons provides patients near Milwaukie, OR, with safe and effective wisdom teeth removals. Most people don’t notice their third molars growing in until they start to cause pain or discomfort, which is why it’s important to have regular dental exams to evaluate them before they start causing problems.
Risks of Leaving Wisdom Teeth Untreated
An impacted wisdom tooth is one that has become trapped beneath the gum tissue. They are difficult to clean around, often causing infection, cysts, or tumors. These can lead to more serious gum disease or tooth decay. Wisdom teeth have large roots, which can damage the roots of other teeth and nearby facial nerves. They can also push neighboring teeth out of alignment.
Most dental professionals recommend having the molars removed when they are in earlier stages of developments before they fully emerge from the gums. The teeth will be smaller and easier to remove at early stages, and you will prevent problems from developing later on. No two patients are alike, and some people’s teeth develop earlier than others, so there is no perfect age for removal, but most patients will have them removed sometime between ages 15 and 22.
PODCAST
Why Do We Have Wisdom Teeth? A Look at Evolution.
Why do we have wisdom teeth if they so often cause problems today? In this episode, Dr. Russell Lieblick and Dr. Brandon Rehrer explore the fascinating evolutionary origins of third molars—and why they were once essential for survival. From our ancestors' tough, raw diets to the rise of cooking and tool use, we discuss how changing lifestyles led to smaller jaws while wisdom teeth stuck around. Learn how this mismatch contributes to common issues like impaction, infection, and jaw pain. We also break down the genetic factors behind why some people never develop these teeth at all.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery
If you need to have your molars removed at our office in Milwaukie, OR, you will first come in for a consultation, where Dr. Lieblick and Dr. Rehrer will design a custom treatment plan. We may take 3D scans of your mouth to determine the location of important nerves and other structures before your procedure. You will also have a chance to discuss your anesthesia options at this appointment. Our oral surgeons are trained and licensed to administer all forms of anesthesia, including local and general anesthesia, and nitrous oxide.
Your next appointment will be for your surgical procedure, where your oral surgeon will remove your molars. After administering your anesthetic, your oral surgeon will carefully remove the teeth in the least invasive manner possible. You will rest while your anesthesia wears off, then your driver will be able to escort you home and should remain with you for 24 hours.
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 about the benefits of stem cell banking.
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
"Hey, my name’s Sierra, and I’m from Milwaukie, Oregon. I came to Beacon Oral Surgeons to get my wisdom teeth removed. When I first walked into Beacon Oral Surgeons, I was very nervous. The team here helped calm me down. Everything went really smoothly. They were super friendly and answered all my questions. Dr. Rehrer was an extremely good doctor. He made everything super easy, and it was really calming, and he said everything was going to be fine and over very quickly. I had absolutely no pain and discomfort after I had my wisdom teeth taken out. The experience was super easy and extremely better than I expected. I would rate my overall experience here as a five out of five stars. It went great. If any of my friends from Milwaukie or Corvallis needed to get their wisdom teeth out, I would totally tell them to come here. "
"My name is Cally. I’m from Canby, Oregon. I went to see Dr. Lieblick to get my <a href='/oral-surgery-procedures/wisdom-teeth-removal-milwaukie-or/' title='Learn more about wisdom teeth removal'><strong>wisdom teeth removed</strong></a>. Their office is very clean and crisp. The employees are very nice and attentive whenever you walk in. Dr. Lieblick is very calm and attentive. He explains everything very thoroughly. I really liked Beacon Oral Surgery’s process and really appreciated Dr. Lieblick. For my friends and family from Portland and Gresham, Oregon, I highly recommend Beacon Oral Surgeons."
"Hi, my name is Zac. I'm from Oregon City, and I went to Beacon Oral Surgery to get my wisdom teeth removed. The staff was good. They were all positive, and they all made me feel comfortable. The doctor here was definitely really comforting, and I felt confident that he would take care of me, and It was going to go smoothly. My procedure went well and my recovery was fast and smooth. My overall experience at Beacon Oral Surgery was exceptional and I would definitely recommend it to other people who need to get their wisdom teeth removed."
"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."
"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
Does wisdom teeth removal require stitches?
Impacted teeth often require small incisions in the gum tissue to access the teeth. Any incisions will be closed with dissolvable sutures, which disappear on their own during recovery.
How long does it take for wisdom teeth holes to heal?
Many patients return to their normal routines a few days following surgery. It takes about 2 weeks for your surgical sites to fully heal.
What helps wisdom teeth holes heal faster?
Follow your post-operative instructions closely and carefully. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to prevent infection and keep the surgical sites clean. Stick to soft food and avoid disturbing the tooth sockets. Contact Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons if you have questions at any point during recovery.
How do I know if I have dry socket or normal pain?
Some pain and swelling is expected for several days after surgery. You can manage this with ice packs and over-the-counter pain medication. If you experience a dry socket, which is caused when the blood clot becomes dislodged, you may feel sharp throbbing pain. Avoid straws and smoking for 1 week to help prevent dry socket and be sure to keep the extraction site clean. Contact our office if you experience pain beyond what is expected throughout the healing process.
Where can I get wisdom teeth removed in Portland, OR?
Patients of any age in Portland, Oregon, can undergo wisdom teeth removal at our office in Milwaukie, which is less than 10 miles south of downtown Portland. If you live in Portland and you or your child need wisdom teeth removed, contact our office in Milwaukie today.
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