Wisdom Teeth Removal Specialists
Portland Oral Surgeons
Wisdom & Impacted Tooth Removal
Our experienced oral surgeons in Portland are board-certified medical and dental professionals with extensive expertise in performing advanced oral surgeries. Our services include wisdom teeth and dental extractions, jaw alignments, and trauma reconstructions. At the Head and Neck Surgical Associates, we specialize in addressing a wide range of oral cavity conditions and associated systemic diseases with skilled precision and compassionate care.
With advanced training and residencies specializing in oral cavity conditions and associated systemic disease, our oral surgeons perform both routine and highly complex dental procedures for our patients.
The Benefits of Wisdom Tooth Removal
Types Of Tooth Extraction
Severely broken down teeth, impacted teeth, teeth located in dense bone, teeth that have had prior root canal therapy, and teeth that are fused to the bone most often require surgical extraction. The recovery for surgical extraction is characterized by oozing, pain, and swelling. These symptoms typically subside within 1-3 days.
For many patients, teeth with severe decay, previous root canal treatments, fractures, dense bone attachment, or fusion to the bone require surgical extraction. Depending on the complexity, recovery typically involves some oozing, discomfort, and swelling that subsides within 1-3 days.
There are several types of single tooth impactions:
- Soft tissue impaction: Tooth penetrates the bone but remains covered by gum tissue.
- Partial bony impaction: Tooth is partly encased in bone and gum tissue.
- Full bony impaction: Tooth is entirely encased in bone, requiring more complex surgical techniques.
Each case is examined carefully by our highly trained oral surgeons, ensuring the appropriate surgical strategy is in place for the best results.
Living With Impacted Teeth
Jaw swelling
Bleeding gums
Crooked teeth
Bad breath due to infection
Loss of bone and/or supporting tissue
Loss of healthy teeth
Most of the time, we see patients that have the first symptoms of an impacted tooth. However, the best way to prevent these issues from occurring is to visit an oral surgeon in your area to find out the impact these teeth can have on your oral health.
When you schedule a consultation with our Portland team, you’ll benefit from:
- Comprehensive oral examination and dental x-rays
- Thorough discussion of current alignment and future dental health impacts
- Personalized treatment recommendations tailored to your specific needs
In general, wisdom teeth are not critical for function and their presence often puts the rest of your smile at risk. Most surgeons recommend the removal of impacted teeth to prevent future crowding, bone damage, and infections. However, we take pride in our personalized approach and will discuss whether wisdom tooth removal is the right step for you.
For more detailed information on your surgical options, learn more about our medical expertise at the Head and Neck Institute Medical Services.
Typically, individuals are born with four wisdom teeth, but about 25% of the population has fewer due to genetics. They usually erupt during the late teenage or early adulthood years – around high school and college for most.
When properly aligned and surrounded by healthy gum tissue, wisdom teeth might not need removal. Unfortunately, this ideal situation is rare. Improperly erupting or impacted wisdom teeth can create serious challenges by promoting bacterial growth, infections, and cavity formation around neighboring teeth.
Through careful oral examinations and diagnostic imaging, our skilled oral surgeons assess wisdom tooth positioning and predict possible future complications. We typically recommend early removal to decrease the risk of:
- Serious infections
- Bone loss or jaw cysts
- Damage to neighboring teeth
Understanding Wisdom Teeth Development
The typical person is born with 4 wisdom teeth, but about 25% of the population is born with less than 4 wisdom teeth, due to their genetic makeup. For most people, the eruption process occurs in the late teens or early twenties, around high school and college for most kids.
When wisdom teeth are aligned properly and the gum tissue is healthy, they do not need to be removed. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. The extraction of wisdom teeth is necessary when they are prevented from erupting properly within the mouth—partially erupted or impacted teeth can cause many problems including excess bacteria and infection.
Through an oral examination and x-rays of the mouth, our surgeons are able to evaluate the position of wisdom teeth and predict if there may be present or future problems. Patients are typically evaluated as teenagers and early removal is recommended to avoid future problems and decrease surgical risk.
Preventing Serious Conditions Before They Start
The eruption of wisdom teeth varies greatly from person to person. Although healthy eruptions occasionally occur, more frequent problems tend to arise. Issues like impaction, inflammation, and infection make the extraction of wisdom teeth highly advisable for long-term oral health.
Early evaluation by qualified oral surgeons in Portland ensures a proactive solution to prevent emergencies and extensive dental procedures later on. Trust our board-certified experts to assess your needs and chart the best path forward for you or your family member.
Connect with Our Expert Portland Oral Surgeons Today
If you are experiencing wisdom tooth discomfort, swelling, or simply want proactive evaluation, don’t wait. Let the dedicated surgeons at Head and Neck Surgical Associates guide you through your options with care and expertise. Find us on Facebook and LinkedIn to stay updated on our latest services and patient care initiatives. Check out our Google Profile and read reviews from our many satisfied patients.
Request A Consultation
Read reviews and more at Head+Neck Surgical Associates’ Google Business Listing and contact us to schedule an appointment.
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I recently got my 2 impacted wisdom teeth removed by Dr. Patel a couple of weeks ago. The surgery assistant, medical assistant and doctor were great, the front desk staff was OK. The only complaint I have is that I called the day before my appointment to check what time I needed to be there to check in and then when I showed up I was told I was 15 minutes late when I was actually 30 minutes early for the time they told me the day before on the phone. I also never received a pre-op call to go over any instructions when I was told I was going to get a call. The surgery assistants and medical assistants were great, I had multiple questions after my surgery and they were always very patient and helpful. I would recommend Dr. Patel for your wisdom teeth extractions.
I’m forever grateful. You guys gave me my life back. Im forever grateful the hours you’ve spent repairing me and giving me the ability to swallow again
Cannot recommend Dr. Patel enough. Got two impacted wisdom teeth extracted earlier today, one was very close to nerve so slightly more tricky. Was in and out quickly with no pain during the procedure, and very little pain so far compared to my previous extraction. Staff is confident and helpful, and they even played my favorite band for the procedure. Thank you!
Amazing experience. Had my wisdom tooth pulled here and the Dr and staff did a great job!
I recently moved from out of state. My new dentist referred me to Head & Neck Surgical Associates to consider extraction of my wisdom teeth, plus an unrelated procedure. The bottom line is that I received excellent care from Head & Neck Surgical Associates, and recommend the clinic- and Dr. Allen Cheng in particular- to anyone seeking professional, high quality, competent medical care.