Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common dental procedures in the UK, and having gone through it myself, I understand the questions running through your head right now.
Will it hurt?
How much will this set me back?
How long before I’m back to normal?
Let me walk you through everything about wisdom tooth removal — straight facts, no medical jargon.
Table of Contents
What Is Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Wisdom tooth removal is oral surgery where your dentist or oral surgeon extracts one or more third molars.
These teeth typically emerge between ages 17-25, earning the name “wisdom teeth” because they arrive when you’re supposedly wiser.
Not everyone needs their wisdom teeth removed, but if you’re reading this, yours are probably causing trouble.
When You Need Wisdom Teeth Removed
Your dentist will recommend extraction when:
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Impacted teeth — no room to properly emerge
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Crowding — pushing other teeth out of place
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Decay — hard to clean, leading to cavities
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Gum disease — food traps cause recurring infections
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Cysts — fluid-filled sacs that damage the jawbone
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Damage to adjacent teeth — harming neighbouring molars
Only wisdom teeth causing symptoms or likely to cause future problems should be removed according to evidence-based NICE wisdom teeth guidance.
The practice of removing healthy, symptom-free impacted wisdom teeth is not supported by reliable research and exposes patients to unnecessary surgical risks such as nerve damage, infection, and bleeding.
My dentist explained it like this: “You’re trying to park four extra cars in a full car park.”
Types of Wisdom Tooth Extraction
There are two main types, differing in complexity, cost, and recovery.
Simple Extraction
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Tooth has emerged normally
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Removed with forceps under local anaesthetic
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Takes 15-30 minutes per tooth
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Less invasive, faster healing
Surgical Extraction
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Tooth is impacted or buried
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Requires cutting gum and possibly removing bone
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Tooth might be split for easier removal
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Takes 45-60 minutes
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More invasive, longer recovery and higher cost
Anaesthesia Options
Your comfort depends on the anaesthesia type.
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Local Anaesthetic: Numbs the area. You stay awake. Most common and affordable.
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Sedation: Nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral tablets, or IV sedation help you relax.
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General Anaesthetic: You’re asleep. Used for complex cases. Requires fasting and adds £300-£800 to cost.
Success rate under local anaesthetic is about 95%, making it ideal for most.
Pre-Operative Preparation
- One week before: Stop smoking, arrange time off, buy soft foods, fill meds, organise transport.
- Day before: No alcohol, get good sleep, start antibiotics (if prescribed), prep ice packs.
- Day of Surgery: Fasting if general anaesthetic, wear comfy clothes, remove contact lenses, bring driver.
NHS vs Private Treatment
- NHS: Need referral, wait 4-12 weeks, Band 2 treatment costs about £73.50-£319.10, follow-up included.
- Private: Book direct, faster appointments, premium anaesthesia, £150-£800 per tooth.
The Surgery Process
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Medical history & X-rays reviewed
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Anaesthesia administered
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Gum incision and bone removal if needed
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Tooth extraction (may be sectioned)
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Site cleaned, stitched, gauze applied
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Recovery monitoring and instructions given
My four-tooth surgery was just 45 minutes—quicker than I feared.
Recovery Timeline
- Days 1-3: Pain & swelling peak, soft foods only, ice packs, head elevated rest.
- Days 4-7: Pain eases, swelling reduces, softer foods can diversify, light activity.
- Week 2: Discomfort fades, swelling gone, normal diet resumes with caution.
- Weeks 3-4: Tissue fully heals, bone remodeling continues, no restrictions.
Work and Insurance
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Simple extraction: 1-2 days off
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Surgical: 3-5 days recommended
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All four: 5-7 days
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Insurance commonly covers 50-80%, check specifics and pre-authorisations.
Post-Surgery Care Tips
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Bite gauze firmly first 30-60 mins
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Keep mouth clean, gentle salt rinses after 24h
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Avoid smoking, alcohol, straws, forceful rinsing
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Pain meds: ibuprofen & paracetamol as directed
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Ice on/off for swelling
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Avoid strenuous activities
When NOT to Remove Wisdom Teeth
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Fully erupted, no pain, easy to clean
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No crowding or decay
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Regular checks show healthy teeth
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Removal considered if symptoms arise or risk increases
Sometimes, your dentist will spot these problems on an X-ray.
If your wisdom teeth are healthy and not causing any issues, the NHS usually recommends just monitoring them at check-ups rather than removing them.
See more on NHS wisdom tooth removal.
Complications
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Dry socket (2-5% risk): intense pain 2-3 days post-op. Avoid smoking & straws.
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Infection: fever, pus, swelling need dentist review.
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Nerve injury risk higher for lower teeth near nerves but rare and often temporary.
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Sinus perforation rare with upper wisdom teeth.
Choosing Your Surgeon
Look for oral surgery specialists with high experience. Ask about:
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Number of wisdom teeth removals performed
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Anaesthesia options
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Complication handling
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Transparent pricing
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Patient reviews
FAQs
How long does removal take?
15-30 minutes for simple cases; up to 60 for surgical.
Is it painful?
No pain during, soreness after manageable with meds.
When to brush teeth?
Light brushing day after; avoid surgical sites for a week.
Can I drive after?
Only with local anaesthetic and fully alert.
Will face shape change?
No, swelling may cause temporary puffiness.
Conclusion
Wisdom tooth removal is a widely performed and generally safe procedure in the UK.
Understanding why your dentist recommends removal, what to expect during surgery, and how to manage recovery can ease much of the anxiety around the process.
Following UK NHS and NICE guidelines ensures you get appropriate care tailored to your needs, avoiding unnecessary surgery while addressing genuine dental issues.
With the right preparation and aftercare, you’ll be back to enjoying a healthy, pain-free mouth in no time.
