Wisdom Teeth Removal in The Dalles, OR
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
"Hi, my name is Carrie, I’m from Camas, Washington, and I came to see Dr. Rehrer to get my wisdom teeth pulled. Their office is very professional. You’re just taken care of from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave. Dr. Rehrer is a top-notch surgeon. He is somebody that’s really compassionate. He cares about his patients. He takes care of your needs. He’s just an incredible person, is what Dr. Rehrer is. The staff here is amazing. They take pride in their work. They really enjoy what they do. I had a great experience here with my wisdom teeth. For my friends and family in Camas and Vancouver, Washington, I highly 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."
"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 Lana. I’m from Troutdale. My two daughters came here to get their wisdom teeth extracted. The team was very welcoming, even from the time that I walked through the door. They just totally took care of me, made me feel comfortable, offered me coffee. I thought that was just very welcoming and warm right there, and I felt very confident that my children were in great hands. Dr. Lieblick is wonderful. The procedure was quick and easy, and the recovery was great. If there’s another mom out there that I could tell to send their children to Beacon Oral Surgeons, especially for wisdom teeth, they would take care of them like family members. You’re just not going to get any better treatment than you receive with Beacon Oral Surgeons. If I needed an implant or an extraction, I wouldn’t hesitate to see Dr. Lieblick for my future oral surgery needs."
"Hi, my name is Chelsea from Gresham, and I came to Beacon Oral Surgeons to see Dr. Lieblick to have my wisdom teeth extracted, and then for a dental implant. Dr. Lieblick was awesome. He made me feel very comfortable and welcomed. He’s very calming when he’s explaining things to patients. He assured me, and it was great! The staff is very friendly. They took good care of me. I felt like it was professional throughout the experience. We went through everything as far as what to expect for surgery, so I was prepared. My procedure went very well—better than I expected. Recovery was pretty minimal. From start to finish, it was a great experience, and I was very happy with the outcome. If you want the best care and treatment, you should come to 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.
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