Wisdom teeth are the last molars at the back of the mouth, usually arriving in the late teens or twenties. Most people keep them with no trouble. The ones that cause problems are those that do not have room to come through cleanly.
When they need to come out
Dentists do not remove wisdom teeth just because they are there. Current guidance is to take them out only when there is a clear problem, such as:
- Repeated infection around a partly erupted tooth (pericoronitis)
- Decay in the wisdom tooth or the tooth in front that cannot be restored
- Cysts or damage to neighbouring teeth
- Persistent pain or swelling that keeps coming back
If a wisdom tooth is impacted but causing no symptoms, the usual advice is to leave it alone and monitor it.
Will the NHS remove them
Yes, when removal is clinically necessary, it is NHS treatment. A straightforward extraction by your dentist is a Band 2 charge of £76.60. More complex cases, especially impacted teeth needing surgery, are referred to a hospital oral surgery department, where treatment by the hospital is free.
What the NHS will not do is remove healthy, symptom free wisdom teeth for convenience or cosmetic reasons.
What private removal costs
Privately, a simple wisdom tooth extraction is broadly in line with other extractions, often £150 to £350. A surgical removal of an impacted tooth, usually done by a specialist oral surgeon, is more, commonly £350 to £1,000 or more depending on complexity and whether sedation is used.
Recovery
Most people recover from a wisdom tooth extraction in a few days to a week.
- Expect some swelling and soreness for two to three days, easing after that.
- Do not rinse hard, smoke or drink through a straw for the first 24 hours, to protect the blood clot and avoid a painful dry socket.
- Stick to soft food and keep the area clean with gentle warm salt water rinses from the day after.
- Take painkillers as advised. Ordinary over the counter painkillers are usually enough.
Get in touch with the dentist or surgeon if bleeding will not stop, swelling gets worse after three days, or pain suddenly increases, which can be a sign of a dry socket.
This is general information, not clinical advice. A dentist should assess your own wisdom teeth before any decision to remove them.