Wisdom tooth removal in Edgware

At Toothi London in Edgware, wisdom tooth extraction starts from £295, and a straightforward extraction is £145 where it applies. We first assess the tooth with an x-ray (£15 each) to see its position and roots. Most wisdom teeth we remove are taken out under local anaesthetic in one visit. Deeply buried teeth or roots close to the nerve are referred to an oral surgeon. Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. Many are simply monitored.

Wisdom teeth are the third molars at the very back of the mouth. They usually appear between the late teens and mid-twenties, and there is often not enough room for them to come through fully. A wisdom tooth that is stuck partly under the gum or against the tooth in front is called impacted.

UK guidance is that wisdom teeth should not be removed just because they are there. We recommend removal when a tooth is causing, or is likely to cause, a problem:

• ✓  Repeated gum infection (pericoronitis). The flap of gum over a part-erupted wisdom tooth traps food and bacteria. It can become sore, swollen and make it hard to open your mouth. One episode can often be managed; repeated episodes are a common reason for removal.
• ✓  Decay that cannot be repaired. Wisdom teeth are hard to clean, so they decay easily. If decay is deep and the tooth cannot be restored, removal is usually the better option.
• ✓  Food trap and decay in the tooth in front. A wisdom tooth leaning forwards can create a gap where food collects and causes decay or gum disease in the second molar – a tooth you want to keep.
• ✓  Cysts or other changes. Occasionally an x-ray shows a cyst or other change around a buried wisdom tooth that needs attention.
• ✓  Severe gum disease around the tooth. Bone loss and deep pockets around a wisdom tooth can be a reason to take it out.

If you have pain or swelling at the back of your mouth, book an assessment.

At your appointment the dentist looks at the tooth and the gum around it, checks for infection, and asks about your symptoms and medical history. You can book this as a check-up (£55) or, if you are in pain, an emergency appointment (£65).

An x-ray (£15 each) is essential before deciding to remove a wisdom tooth. It shows the angle of the tooth, how many roots it has, their shape, and how close they sit to the nerve that supplies feeling to the lower lip and chin.

Based on the assessment, we will tell you whether the tooth should come out, whether it can be removed at Toothi or should be referred, and give you a written price before you decide.

Your exact price depends on the tooth’s position and how it needs to be removed, and is confirmed in writing after assessment. Private prices vary widely by practice and region, so you are welcome to compare. Our guide to wisdom tooth removal cost in the UK covers this in more detail, and all fees are on our fees page.

• ✓  Simple extraction. The tooth has come fully through the gum and has straightforward roots. It is gently loosened and removed in one piece, much like any other back tooth.
• ✓  Surgical extraction. The tooth is partly or fully under the gum, or its roots are curved. The dentist makes a small opening in the gum, may remove a little bone, and sometimes divides the tooth into sections so it can be lifted out with less force. Dissolving stitches are usually placed.

Lower wisdom teeth are more likely to need a surgical approach. Your x-ray tells us which applies to you, so there are no surprises on the day.

Everyone heals differently, and surgical extractions usually take longer to settle than simple ones. A typical pattern is:

If pain gets worse rather than better two to four days after the extraction, you may have a dry socket. Call us, as it can be treated.

Some wisdom teeth are best removed by an oral surgeon (a GDC-registered specialist in oral surgery). We refer on when:

• ✓  The roots sit very close to the nerve. This raises the risk of numbness or tingling of the lip, chin or tongue, which is usually temporary but can occasionally be permanent.
• ✓  The tooth is deeply impacted. A tooth buried deep in the bone or lying horizontally may need more extensive surgery.
• ✓  Further imaging is needed. Sometimes a 3D scan is needed to plan safely. This is arranged through the referral.
• ✓  Your medical history needs it. Certain conditions or medicines make treatment in a hospital or referral setting the safer choice.

We will explain why we are referring, and you are under no obligation. When to get urgent help: spreading swelling of the face or neck, swelling affecting breathing, swallowing or the eye, or a high temperature need A&E or 999. Out of hours, call NHS 111.