Tooth Extraction & Wisdom Tooth Removal
When a tooth can't be saved, removed safely and comfortably.
We'd always rather save a tooth than take it out. But when one is too damaged, badly infected, or a wisdom tooth is causing trouble, removing it is the right call — and done properly, it's far less daunting than most people expect.
When a Tooth Needs to Come Out
- ✓Decay so extensive the tooth can't be rebuilt
- ✓A tooth split or fractured below the gumline
- ✓Severe gum disease that has loosened the tooth
- ✓A wisdom tooth that's impacted, or repeatedly getting infected
- ✓A wisdom tooth pressing against the tooth in front of it
- ✓Baby teeth that won't come out on their own and are blocking adult teeth
- ✓Teeth removed to make space as part of orthodontic treatment
Simple vs Surgical Extraction
| Simple extraction | Surgical extraction | |
|---|---|---|
| When it's used | The tooth is fully through the gum and easy to reach | The tooth is impacted, broken at gum level, or has awkward roots |
| What's involved | The tooth is loosened and lifted out | A small opening is made in the gum, and the tooth is sometimes divided to come out cleanly |
| Anaesthetic | Local anaesthetic | Local anaesthetic |
| Stitches | Rarely needed | Usually placed, and often dissolve on their own |
| Healing | A few days | About a week for the initial soreness to settle |
Lower wisdom teeth are the ones most often impacted, so they more commonly need the surgical approach. We'll take an X-ray first and tell you which it will be before we start.
Common Questions
Will it hurt?
The tooth and the gum around it are fully numbed, so you'll feel pressure and movement but not pain. Afterwards, painkillers handle the soreness, and we send you home with everything you need.
What's the recovery like?
Bite gently on the gauze for the first half hour, stick to soft food and cool drinks that day, and avoid rinsing hard for 24 hours. Most people are back to normal within a couple of days; a surgical extraction takes about a week to settle.
Why shouldn't I smoke or use a straw afterwards?
Both can dislodge the blood clot that forms in the socket, leaving the bone exposed. It's called dry socket, it's genuinely painful, and it's the main complication worth avoiding.
Do all wisdom teeth need to come out?
No. If a wisdom tooth has come through straight, bites properly and you can keep it clean, it can stay. We recommend removal when it's impacted, decayed, or causing repeated gum infections.
My gum keeps swelling over a partly erupted wisdom tooth.
That's the gum flap trapping food and bacteria underneath. Where the tooth itself is worth keeping, we can remove that flap with a laser rather than the whole tooth.
Will I need to replace the tooth?
For a back molar, sometimes not. For anything visible or important for chewing, we'll talk through an implant, bridge or denture so the gap doesn't cause problems later.
What to Expect
Consultation
Our dentist will assess your condition and explain the procedure in detail.
Preparation
We'll ensure you're comfortable before we begin, including local anaesthetic if needed.
Treatment
The procedure is carried out with care and precision.
Aftercare
We'll give you clear aftercare instructions and schedule follow-up if required.
Book Your Extraction Consultation
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