Keeping your natural teeth is always our first aim. When a tooth can’t be saved, or removing it will protect your oral health, a tooth extraction may be the right choice. Common reasons include severe decay, a cracked or broken tooth, advanced gum disease, infection, crowding before orthodontic treatment, and wisdom teeth that are impacted or causing problems.
Before any extraction, your dentist will examine the tooth, take X-rays and talk you through your options, the risks and the cost. Most extractions are done in the chair under local anaesthetic, and happy gas is available if you feel nervous. You’ll go home with clear aftercare instructions and a way to reach us if you have questions.
Your dentist may recommend removing a tooth when:
Where there’s a reasonable way to keep the tooth, such as root canal therapy, we’ll explain it so you can compare the options. If you have severe pain or swelling now, see our emergency dentist page.
Wisdom teeth usually come through between about 18 and 25 years of age. Many people don’t have enough room for them, so they may come through at an angle, only partly break through the gum, or stay trapped in the jaw (impacted).
Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out. Healthy wisdom teeth that are fully through and easy to clean can often stay and be checked at your regular visits. Removal may be recommended if a wisdom tooth is impacted, keeps getting infected, is decayed, or is damaging the tooth in front.
We’ll assess your wisdom teeth with an examination and a panoramic X-ray. Many can be removed in the chair under local anaesthetic. More complex cases may be referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, sometimes for treatment under sedation or general anaesthetic in hospital. Read our wisdom teeth removal guide for more detail.
Your dentist will numb the area with local anaesthetic so you feel pressure but not sharp pain. A simple extraction gently loosens and removes the tooth. A surgical extraction may need a small opening in the gum or the tooth removed in sections. You’ll then bite on gauze to help a blood clot form, and stitches may be placed.
For the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing, spitting, straws, hot drinks, alcohol, smoking or vaping, and strenuous exercise. Eat soft, cool foods and use over-the-counter pain relief as recommended by your dentist or pharmacist. From the next day, gentle warm salt-water rinses can help keep the area clean.
Contact us if bleeding doesn’t slow after 30 minutes of firm pressure, if pain gets worse after two or three days, or if you notice a fever, swelling that keeps increasing, or a bad taste. Call 000 or go to hospital if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling that spreads quickly.
After an extraction, your dentist may talk to you about replacing the tooth, especially if it’s visible when you smile or needed for chewing. Options include a dental implant, a bridge or a denture.
Bone grafting may be recommended to rebuild or strengthen areas of the jaw where bone has been lost or isn’t sufficient, for example after tooth loss, gum disease or injury. Grafting material is placed where extra bone is needed, creating a framework for your own bone to grow into over time. This can give a more stable foundation for an implant. Depending on how much bone is needed, healing may take several months before the next stage. Your dentist will assess your needs and recommend the approach that suits you.
The cost of an extraction depends on how complex it is, the X-rays needed and any follow-up treatment. You’ll receive an itemised quote before treatment. See our price guide or ask about payment plans.
Access our detailed price guide to understand the investment in your dental care options.
