Protect Your Oral Health
Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to grow into your mouth. Most wisdom teeth begin developing around the age of 17 or during the early twenties, although the teeth can start forming beneath the gums as early as age 12. Because they are so large, most people’s mouths are too small to accommodate the extra molars. Without adequate space to grow in, they may grow at an angle, leave you susceptible to infections, or cause other oral health complications.Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common procedures we perform at Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in The Dalles, OR. If you live near The Dalles or one of our other office locations, our board-certified oral surgeons will make sure that your procedure is performed using the safest, most advanced techniques available.
Why Remove Wisdom Teeth?
If your third molars grow in without causing problems for your surrounding teeth or gum tissue, they may not need to be removed. However, it is rare for wisdom teeth to properly develop without causing any problems. Even molars that appear to be growing in fine can suddenly change course and start to grow sideways. It’s important to have regular dental exams to track the development of your molars. When your general dentist notices your wisdom teeth are starting to develop, he or she will refer you to an oral surgeon to have them removed.
Leaving wisdom teeth untreated can lead to many health issues. An impacted wisdom tooth is one that has become trapped beneath the gum and must be surgically removed because it will not properly erupt into the dental arch. An impacted tooth is difficult to properly clean, possibly leading to infection or the formation of cysts and tumors. Severe infections can develop into gum disease, which puts your other teeth and gum tissue at risk. Wisdom teeth can also damage other nearby roots and facial nerves.
When Should Wisdom Teeth Be Removed?
You can have wisdom teeth removed at any age. Most dental professionals recommend removing the teeth during the earlier stages of development, potentially before they emerge from the gums (generally between ages 16 and 20 or so). The teeth are smaller and easier to remove at these stages, making the overall procedure easier for the patient. Even if your molars are fully grown in, Dr. Lieblick and Dr. Rehrer will use advanced digital imaging to determine their exact size and location and develop a treatment plan for you.
Wisdom Teeth Removal Surgery
If you need to have your third molars removed, you will likely be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Our surgeons at Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in The Dalles, OR, have years of experience extracting them using the most reliable and least invasive methods possible. Our surgeons are also certified to administer a variety of anesthesia and sedation options, including general anesthesia, to ensure your comfort and safety.
First, you will have a consultation with one of our oral surgeons, who will fully examine your condition and discuss your treatment plan. This appointment is a good opportunity for you to ask questions about your procedure and anesthesia options. We will take 3D scans of your mouth to produce detailed images of your bone structure.
On the day of your surgery, your oral surgeon will administer the anesthesia. Your surgeon will extract the teeth and place dissolvable sutures where needed. You will need a designated driver to bring you home after your surgery is complete.
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 more.
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
"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."
"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! I’m Cydne, and about five years ago, I had my wisdom teeth taken out by Dr. Lieblick here at their Gresham office, and it was great. I had a really good experience with him and all the staff. My recovery was quick and simple. All I remember is coming in, them hooking me up to a couple monitors, I was asleep, woke up, they said it was all done, and I was on my way home, eating tomato soup and grilled cheese. It was really simple, really easy for me. I just remember sitting on the couch, watching movies. Mom was bringing me milkshakes and loving on the pain pills. That was it. All my friends, my family and friends, in Portland, Gresham, Vancouver area – I’ve even referred most of my family members to Dr. Lieblick, and they’ve had their wisdom teeth out, their implants. I would never send anybody to anyplace else. They’re the best. I trust them. They’re very caring, and you always feel like you’re well cared for, and they truly do want you to have a good experience and a good outcome. I mean, they guarantee their work, which is awesome to have that guarantee to stand by."
"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."
"Hi, my name is Willy, and I came to see Dr. Rehrer to get my wisdom teeth removed. The staff here is very friendly, very knowledgeable, and they treat you like they've known you for a long time. They go over everything very precisely and answer all your questions. Dr. Rehrer's a very great guy, was very nice, and he explained everything, so it was easy for me to understand. The whole procedure was very simple and quick. Overall, I had a great experience and I highly recommend Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to have wisdom teeth removed?
The cost of having wisdom teeth removed will depend on how many teeth you need to have removed, your dental insurance, your choice of anesthesia, and the overall extent of your surgery. We will go over all of these factors during your first visit so you know exactly what to expect.
How many days do I need off for wisdom tooth removal?
You can expect to return to your normal routine a few days after having wisdom teeth removed. On the day of your surgery, you can expect to feel sleepy and rest for the remainder of the day. Many patients feel fine the next day and are able to resume normal activities.
How should I prepare for wisdom teeth removal?
If you are undergoing anesthesia, be sure to follow your pre-operative instructions closely. You are to have nothing to eat or drink after 12:00 midnight the night before your appointment—not even a sip of water. A responsible adult must accompany you to the office, stay in the office during your procedure, and take you home. This adult should remain with you for 24 hours while you’re still under the effects of anesthesia.
What can I expect during recovery after having wisdom teeth removed?
Everything you need to know is outlined in your post-operative instructions. Rinse your mouth with a salt water solution to prevent infection and keep the extraction sites clean. Dry socket occurs when the blood clot becomes dislodged. To avoid dry socket, do not use straws and do not smoke for 1 week following surgery. Stick to soft foods and ramp up your diet as tolerated. Pain and swelling can be managed with ice packs and over-the-counter pain medications. If you ever have questions, contact our office and we will be happy to help you.
Experience Outstanding Oral Surgery Care
Prepare for your first visit, learn about our services, and more.