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.
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 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.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Wisdom Teeth Removal and other procedures.
"Hi, my name is Carolyn. I’m from Lake Oswego, Oregon. [I] brought my 17-year-old son in to have his wisdom teeth removed with Dr. Lieblick. I would say one of the things that I noticed that stood out to me the most was the energy level. Coming in—great energy, felt very comfortable. The staff was really friendly. They were very welcoming. Dr. Lieblick has a very relaxed mannerism about him. He was very thorough in explaining everything that was going to happen. We left the patient consult feeling very comfortable and much more at ease than we did walking in the front door. For my friends and family in Milwaukie and in The Dalles, I highly recommend Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
"Hi, my name is Claudia and I’m from Fairview. I came to see Dr. Lieblick to get my wisdom teeth removed. Dr. Lieblick was very knowledgeable. He explained everything to me very well. I felt like I understood what was going to happen in the procedure, and he was very comforting as well. The staff here is really friendly. They make you feel really comfortable. From beginning to end, everyone was really nice—[a] calm setting. It was great. Overall my experience was really positive at Beacon. I highly recommend Beacon Oral Surgeons. "
"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."
"Hi, my name is Alison from Camas, Washington, and I came to see Dr. Leiblick to have my wisdom tooth removed. Beacon Oral Surgery was very welcoming, and they made me feel very comfortable. Dr. Leiblick was very thorough. He explained exactly what he was going to do in the surgery, and he made me feel very confident. The staff here at Beacon Oral Surgery are very friendly, and I feel that they are very professional. I had an excellent experience. The surgery, actually, went much, much better than I expected. For my friends and family in Camas and Vancouver, I highly recommend Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
"Hi, my name is Amber and I live in Brush Prairie. I saw Dr. Rehrer and Dr. Lieblick to get my wisdom teeth removed. The office here was very warm and inviting. Dr. Rehrer was very kind. He went out of his way to make me feel very comfortable the entire time. Dr. Leiblick is very knowledgeable. He explained everything to me very well, I had hardly any questions. The procedure itself went very well, I was in and out in what felt like 15 minutes to me. I had a very great experience and I’m so thankful to have found this place. Out of five stars, I give them 10 stars."
"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."
"Hi, I am Anna and I'm from Portland. I came to Beacon Oral Surgeons to get my wisdom and teeth removed, and when I first walked into this practice, I felt really comfortable. The staff is really nice and very like welcoming. My doctor was very professional, but also very personable and very attentive. My procedure went very well, and the recovery was really nice and easy. My overall experience with this practice was really, really amazing. I would 100% recommend Beacon Oral Surgeons."
"Hi, I'm Asher from Portland and I came to Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons to get my wisdom teeth removed. When I walked into this practice, people made me feel at home and very comfortable. The staff were very kind and remembered who I was at all times. My doctor was very nice and took very good care of me. When they sent me the weather videos, I watched through them and it prepared me for my surgery. My procedure went very well, way quicker than I thought, and my recovery was great. To all my friends and family in Happy Valley and Gresham, I highly recommend Beacon Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons."
"My name's Brian. I'm from Portland, Oregon, and I came to Beacon Oral Surgery for a wisdom tooth procedure. How I felt when I first walked into Beacon Oral Surgery was—was comfortable, almost at home. They're all very nice people. They all greeted me at the door. I was paid attention to. I made to feel important. The doctor here was, well, accommodating, and he met all my needs. I had a fantastic surgery, and my recovery went well as well. Beacon Oral Surgery followed up with me for several weeks, just to make sure that I was doing okay. They far exceeded my expectations. They go above and beyond. I highly recommend Beacon Oral Surgery."
Frequently Asked Questions
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
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