Wisdom tooth removal
Not every wisdom tooth needs removing. The ones that do usually announce themselves, repeatedly, and always at an inconvenient time.
Wisdom teeth arrive last, into a jaw that often has no room left for them. When they come through straight and can be cleaned, they're left alone. When they come in sideways, half-buried, or trapped against the tooth in front, they cause recurring infection and decay in the neighbouring molar.
The X-ray settles it. It shows the angle of the tooth, how close the roots sit to the nerve in the lower jaw, and whether the tooth in front is already being damaged.
Signs that usually point here
Recurring symptoms matter more than one bad week. A wisdom tooth that has flared up twice will flare up again.
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Pain or pressure right at the back of the jaw, coming and going
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The gum over the tooth swelling, and food packing under the flap
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A bad taste or smell that keeps returning from one side
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Difficulty opening the mouth fully, or pain on swallowing
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Decay in the wisdom tooth or in the molar directly in front of it
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Crowding of the front teeth after previous orthodontic treatment
What actually happens
Planned properly, an impacted extraction is a controlled procedure, not the ordeal its reputation suggests.
X-ray and nerve assessment
The lower jaw carries a nerve that runs close to wisdom tooth roots. The X-ray shows exactly how close, which determines the approach and is discussed before anything is agreed.
Consultation visitFull numbing
Local anaesthetic, given time to take effect completely across the area including the gum and jaw. Confirmed with you before starting.
10–15 minutesSurgical removal
For an impacted tooth, the gum is opened and the tooth is usually removed in sections rather than whole. Smaller pieces mean less force and less trauma to the bone around it.
20–45 minutesStitches and recovery plan
Dissolving stitches close the site. You leave with written aftercare, and a review is arranged for about a week later to check healing.
Same visitBefore and after
A case from the clinic, shared with the patient's written consent.
Impacted lower wisdom tooth removed surgically, single visit. See more cases →
Is it as bad as people say?
The procedure itself, no. The area is fully numbed and you feel pressure rather than pain. Patients regularly describe complex extractions here as far more routine than they'd braced for.
The recovery is the part with a reputation. Expect swelling that peaks around day two, jaw stiffness, and difficulty opening wide for three to four days. Ice for the first 24 hours, then warm compresses, plus painkillers.
Lower impacted teeth are more uncomfortable afterwards than upper ones, simply because there's denser bone and more swelling. Most people take a day or two off and are largely normal within a week.
What it costs
An erupted wisdom tooth is a straightforward extraction. A fully impacted one lying sideways under bone is surgery.
- Consultation and X-rayStarts at
- Erupted wisdom toothStarts at
- Partially impactedStarts at
- Fully impacted (surgical)Starts at
- Review appointmentStarts at
Ranges, not quotes. You get the exact figure after the examination and before any work starts.
What people ask before booking
No. Each tooth is judged separately. If two are causing problems and two are straight and cleanable, only the two come out. Removing healthy wisdom teeth prophylactically is not routine practice here.
Both on the same side, usually yes. It means one recovery instead of two, and you can chew on the other side meanwhile. Doing both sides at once leaves nowhere comfortable to eat, so it's generally avoided.
It peaks around 48 hours and then reduces steadily. By day four or five most of it has gone. Ice packs in the first 24 hours make a measurable difference, and sleeping slightly propped up helps.
This is the reason the X-ray comes first. Where roots sit very close to the nerve, the approach is adjusted, and the risk is explained before you decide. It's uncommon, and being aware of the anatomy in advance is what keeps it uncommon.
Usually the infection is settled with antibiotics first, then the tooth comes out. Operating into an active infection makes anaesthetic less effective and healing slower.
Light activity after two or three days; heavy exercise and gym work after about a week. Raising your blood pressure too early can restart the bleeding.
What usually comes next
Book a consultation
The consultation covers the examination and, where it's needed, an X-ray. You'll know what's wrong and what it costs before committing to anything.
In pain right now? Call the clinic instead of waiting for a callback.