Tooth removal
Decay, damage and orthodontic treatment can all require tooth extraction. Whether you're suffering toothache, gum disease or planning a dental makeover, The London
Clinic provides pain-free tooth removal by leading surgeons and a comfortable, stress-free environment in which to recover.
The London Clinic’s specialist dental surgeons work in state-of-the-art operating theatres. They are assisted by an expert multidisciplinary team to support you throughout treatment and recovery.
Quick facts
Easy access
Call us today to book an appointment
Fast refferal
Get seen and treated within 14 days
What is it for?
To treat toothache, gum disease
Treatment overview
Tooth removal is the surgical extraction of a tooth.
Who can benefit from a tooth extraction?
Your dentist may decide that an extraction is necessary if a tooth is damaged or decayed beyond repair, if the tooth is in the wrong position, or if you have an overcrowded mouth. The most common reasons for tooth extraction are:
- Severe tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Tooth trauma
- Dental abscess
- Unsuccessful root-canal treatment
- Severe toothache
- Orthodontic treatment
- Crowded teeth
- Impacted wisdom teeth
Tooth removal surgery at The London Clinic
The dental surgeons at The London Clinic perform tooth extraction under local anaesthetic. However, support and other anaesthetic techniques are available for people with anxiety or dental phobia. The procedure takes 20-40 minutes.
The dentist uses a fine needle to inject local anaesthetic into the gum around your tooth. They will ensure the area is totally numb before beginning the extraction procedure.
Your surgeon will carefully loosen your tooth using specially-designed instruments. You may feel pushing and pulling, but it should not hurt. They will then remove the tooth and may place a dressing pack into the space to stop any bleeding.
Sometimes the surgeon may need to make an incision in the gum to expose the tooth, they may have to drill into the tooth, or they may need to separate the tooth from the surrounding bone.
These procedures can take a little longer but are normal, and the experienced dentists at The London Clinic are highly skilled in all types of dental extraction. Recovery and aftercare
Most people can go home on the day of extraction surgery. The London Clinic's team will provide support as you recover.
It's essential to keep the wound clean to prevent infection. Avoid mouthwashes or rinses and hot food and drink for at least 24 hours. Don’t poke, prod or brush the wound for 1 to 2 days. Following that, rinse your mouth gently with hot, salty water four times a day for the next two days.
To reduce the risk of bleeding and bruising, avoid lifting, exercise, alcohol and hot baths for one week. Choose soft foods until you can chew using your other teeth. Take regular over-the-counter painkillers, apply ice packs to the jaw to reduce swelling and sleep with an extra pillow to help excess fluid drain away.
Your dentist will provide individual guidance about returning to work. If you have a desk job, you may be able to get back to work in 1-2 days, people who perform heavy manual work may need to take up to a week off. The London Clinic team will always be on hand if you have any problems or worries.
What are the complications of tooth removal?
All surgery has risks. The dental surgeons and The London Clinic team are dedicated to reducing complications and helping your recovery. Problems with pain, bleeding, and infection can happen after any operation.
Specific issues with tooth extraction surgery include a dry socket, where the wound doesn’t heal well, damage to other teeth, nerve injury, jaw injury, sinus problems and retained roots. Speak to your dentist if you have any concerns. They will always take time to discuss the pros and cons of the procedure and answer any questions.
Why choose The London Clinic
Excellence in one place
The London Clinic, in collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, operate as teams of experts with world-class resources, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of care. Supported by the latest treatments, expert guidance, and a comfortable recovery environment in our patient rooms, you'll have everything you need to regain your best health.
Personal care, every time
Exceptional patient care is a way of life for us. We’ll be with you every step of the way, tailoring your care to your specific needs, including healthy and delicious meals designed to support your recovery. We keep our staff-to-patient ratio low, so our nurses, clinicians, therapists, and support teams can offer a personalised, quality experience.
Effortlessly simple
We work together as one to guide you through every step of your patient experience. From explaining your personal treatment plan to ensuring all details are taken care of, we make the process stress-free, so you can focus on your health. Whether it’s your first consultation or follow-up care, our teams are here to provide seamless support and the peace of mind you deserve.
What's included in your package?
Choosing The London Clinic means your treatment plan will be laid out for you, with all the details taken care of so you can focus on you.
Your treatment package will include:
- Enhanced pre-admission assessment
- Your treatment with our complete care team at your fingertips
- Personalised aftercare and follow-up
We want you to be in control of your health. That’s why we also offer optional services such as comprehensive recovery packages and extra touches for you to choose from during your stay with us. To help you manage the cost, we also offer a 0% finance option, allowing you to spread the payments for your treatment over 12 months with no added interest. Learn more about our finance options here.
How to pay
- You can use private medical insurance (PMI) to access this treatment. We work with all major PMI providers in the UK and many internationally
- You can pay for yourself (self-pay)
- If you’re paying for yourself, we have 0% finance options available with Chrysalis. Find out more here.