A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth, usually under local anaesthetic so the area is numb while you stay awake. Your dentist may remove the tooth at the practice, or refer you to a specialist at a hospital or clinic. On the NHS in England, extractions are covered by the Band 2 charge.
Why a tooth may be removed
A tooth may be taken out when it cannot be saved or is causing problems. NHS pages give examples including a dental abscess, where the NHS says you may need root canal treatment or the tooth may be removed, and serious gum disease, where removing a tooth is one of the treatments listed.
Wisdom teeth
Wisdom teeth are removed when there is not enough room for them to come through properly and they cause problems. The NHS lists pain and swelling, gum infections (pericoronitis), food getting stuck, tooth decay, gum disease, cysts and abscesses. If a wisdom tooth is not causing problems, the NHS says it will usually be left where it is and monitored.
What happens
You will have a local anaesthetic injection to numb the area. For wisdom teeth, the NHS says you may also be offered sedation to help you relax, or a general anaesthetic, where you are asleep. If you are anxious, see our guide to sedation and nervous patients.
For a wisdom tooth, the NHS describes the steps as cutting the gum, widening the socket, removing the tooth whole or in pieces, and closing the gum with dissolvable stitches if needed. The NHS says it often takes just a few minutes and should take no more than 40 minutes. You can usually go home the same day, though you may stay overnight after a general anaesthetic.
NHS or private
In England, extractions and other oral surgery procedures are part of Band 2, which costs £76.60 from 1 April 2026. If you need urgent care, the NHS urgent treatment charge is £27.90 and can include removing up to 2 teeth. NHS treatment is free for some groups, including under 18s, people under 19 in full-time education, and people who are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months.
Private fees vary by practice and by how complex the extraction is. See our costs guide. If you are in pain and need help quickly, our emergency dentist guide explains your options, or call NHS 111.
How to choose a practice
- Check the dentist on the General Dental Council register. The register also shows whether a dentist is on the specialist list for oral surgery.
- Ask whether the extraction can be done at the practice or whether a referral is likely.
- If you want sedation, ask whether the practice provides it.
- Ask what replacing the tooth would involve, if you need it replaced. Options include implants, bridges and dentures.
Recovery and aftercare
A blood clot forms in the socket and helps it heal. After wisdom tooth removal, the NHS says most people get back to normal activities within a day, but you may have pain, swelling, bruising and a sore jaw for up to 2 weeks.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, following the dose on the packet.
- Eat soft foods. Guy's and St Thomas' advises avoiding hot food for 2 days.
- If the socket bleeds, Guy's and St Thomas' advises biting firmly on gauze or a clean cloth for at least 10 minutes. Some blood in your saliva for a few days is common.
- From the day after surgery, Guy's and St Thomas' advises rinsing with a glass of warm water containing a teaspoon of salt, 4 times a day for 4 to 5 days.
- Keep your teeth clean, but brush carefully away from the wound.
- The NHS says not to smoke or drink alcohol or hot drinks while you recover, and not to drive for 48 hours after a general anaesthetic.
Risks
- Dry socket. The NHS describes this as a painful condition where the blood clot over the socket does not form properly. Guy's and St Thomas' says it usually happens 3 to 5 days after treatment and is more likely if you smoke.
- Infection, which may need antibiotics.
- Nerve damage after wisdom tooth removal, which the NHS says can cause numbness or tingling in the tongue, lips and chin.
Get help urgently from your dentist or NHS 111 if you have bleeding that does not stop, severe pain or swelling that painkillers do not help, or pain with a bad taste in your mouth, a high temperature or feeling unwell.
Sources: NHS: Wisdom tooth removal; NHS: Dental abscess; NHS: Gum disease; Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust: Dental surgery and recovery; NHS: How much NHS dental treatment costs; NHS: Understanding NHS dental charges; The National Health Service (Primary Dental Services and Dental Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2026; NHS: Who can get free NHS dental treatment; General Dental Council: Registration.
Last reviewed: 6 October 2026. This guide is general information, not medical advice.