Wisdom Tooth Removal in Finchley

You do not always need to remove wisdom teeth. Seek an assessment if you have clear symptoms. The most common reason is impaction when there is not enough room for the tooth to grow properly, causing it to come in at an angle or to become stuck. This can cause persistent jaw pain, recurring gum infections around the tooth, or damage to the adjacent molar. Book a consult if you notice swelling, difficulty cleaning the area leading to decay, or constant pressure on nearby teeth. We see many patients from Finchley and North London who need an extraction to resolve these issues and prevent further problems.

The process is simple and focused on your comfort. First you have a 60 minute consultation with a 3D CBCT scan. This detailed image shows the exact position of the tooth and its relation to nearby nerves, guiding a safe extraction. On the day of the procedure we numb the area with local anaesthetic so you feel pressure but no pain. The extraction usually takes 30 to 60 minutes. For an impacted tooth we may need a small gum incision and remove the tooth in pieces. We may place dissolvable stitches to help the gum heal. We provide complete aftercare instructions before you leave.

Expect moderate swelling and pain for the first 72 hours, easily managed with over the counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. Eat soft foods like soup, yogurt, and smoothies. Avoid hot drinks or vigorous rinsing to protect the blood clot in the socket. An ice pack on the cheek for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off helps reduce swelling.

By day 4 to 7 the pain and swelling should improve. You can start to eat more solid foods as you feel ready. Keep the area clean by rinsing with warm salt water after meals, starting 24 hours after the procedure. Avoid smoking and heavy exercise for at least a week to prevent dislodging the clot and the painful condition known as dry socket. Red flags during office hours are severe, persistent pain not helped by painkillers, fever above 38 C or persistent foul taste, bleeding that does not stop after 20 minutes of applying pressure, or increasing pain or swelling after day 4.

While extraction is often the best long term solution for problematic wisdom teeth, it is not the only option. If your wisdom tooth is impacted but has no symptoms, watchful waiting is an option. This means monitoring the tooth with regular dental X rays to ensure it does not cause underlying damage. In rare cases where the tooth roots come very close to a major nerve, a coronectomy might be considered, where only the crown is removed and the roots are left in place to avoid nerve damage. We will discuss all suitable options for your clinical situation during your consultation at our Finchley practice.

To help you choose your care, whether with us or another North London practice, here are key questions to ask: Based on my 3D scan, is this a simple or complex surgical extraction? What is the total cost including the consultation, scan, and follow up? How close are the roots to the main nerve, and what are the risks of nerve bruising? How much time should I plan off work or study for recovery? Do you provide an aftercare pack and an out of hours contact number for problems? What are your success rates for this procedure?

As a fully private dental practice, we do not offer NHS services. The cost for wisdom tooth removal depends on the complexity of the extraction. A simple extraction may differ in price from a surgical extraction of a deeply impacted tooth. After your initial consultation and 3D CBCT scan, we will provide a detailed treatment plan and a fixed quote with no hidden fees. We accept several private dental insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Please let our reception team know if you are covered so we can assist with the paperwork.