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
"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 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 Dakota from Vancouver. When I first walked into the practice, I had a very great first warm impression. The staff here are very friendly and they made me feel welcome. My doctor was perfect. He came in on time. He gave me a perfect analysis of what was going on with my wisdom teeth and told us what we needed to do. I got messages of my WUWTA videos, and they were very clear, short, made me feel more relaxed and calm about what was going to happen. My procedure went perfectly. It was in and out, and my recovery was awesome. My overall experience with this practice was perfect. I've recommended it to all my friends and family, and I love it. "
"Hi! I’m Mihkayla from Vancouver, Washington. I came to see Dr. Rehrer to get my wisdom teeth pulled out. Everyone here at Beacon Oral Surgery is very personable. They make you feel at home. They really give you the best experience. Dr. Rehrer is definitely fun to work with. He will definitely make you laugh. The staff here is very kind. They made me feel comfortable, and they talked me through every step of the way. The procedure went well, and I had a very quick recovery, which I’m very grateful for. For my friends and family in Vancouver and Camas, Washington, I highly recommend Beacon Oral 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."
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.
Experience Outstanding Oral Surgery Care
Prepare for your first visit, learn about our services, and more.