Wisdom teeth removal in London W8

When wisdom teeth cause problems

Wisdom teeth are the last teeth at the very back, and they usually come through between the late teens and mid-twenties. Often there is not quite enough room for them. A wisdom tooth may come through only partly, or sit at an angle against the tooth in front, which is called impacted.

A partly through wisdom tooth leaves a flap of gum where food and bacteria collect. That leads to the most common problem: repeated soreness, swelling and infection of the gum around it, sometimes with a bad taste and difficulty opening wide. Wisdom teeth are also hard to clean, so they and the tooth in front can decay.

Not every wisdom tooth needs to come out

In the UK, wisdom teeth that are healthy and causing no problems are usually left alone, and we follow that. Taking out a tooth that is not causing trouble carries risks without a benefit. So the first step is always an examination and an X-ray, and we only suggest removal when there is a clear reason, such as repeated infection, decay or damage to the neighbouring tooth.

If a wisdom tooth is painful now, book an emergency appointment. We can ease the infection first and plan the removal once it has settled.

Simple or surgical removal

A wisdom tooth that has come through fully can often be taken out simply, like any other tooth. One that is partly under the gum or bone needs a surgical removal: a small cut in the gum, sometimes removing a little bone or dividing the tooth, then a few stitches. Both are done under local anaesthetic.

The X-ray also shows how close the roots are to the nerve in the lower jaw. If a tooth is very close to the nerve, or is too deep to remove safely here, we will tell you and refer you to a hospital oral surgery team rather than take an avoidable risk.

Before you book

If you are new to the practice, read what happens at your first visit. If a tooth further forward is the problem, it may be saved with root canal treatment rather than taken out. Every price is on our fee guide.