Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal in London
Wisdom teeth that are partially erupted, impacted, or in an awkward position commonly cause acute episodes of infection (pericoronitis), pain and swelling. The first step is usually to bring the infection under control with local cleaning, sometimes antibiotics if there is spreading infection, and definitive treatment — either extraction or referral to a specialist oral surgeon — once the acute episode has settled. NICE guidance does not recommend removing symptom-free wisdom teeth, so treatment is targeted to symptomatic cases.
Flat £30 emergency assessment fee for everyone. X-rays (£20/image, £10 for members) and onward treatment quoted separately in writing before treatment.
What to Do Right Now
- →Take ibuprofen and/or paracetamol at the recommended dose.
- →Rinse with warm salt water and a chlorhexidine mouthwash (if not allergic) several times a day.
- →Cold compress to the cheek (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) for swelling.
- →Soft, cool foods. Stay hydrated.
- →Book an emergency assessment — particularly if there is fever, increasing swelling, or difficulty opening the mouth.
Call 999 or go to A&E
Call 999 or go to A&E if there is difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe spreading facial swelling, voice changes, drooling, or inability to open the mouth at all (trismus with airway concern).
How We Treat Emergency Wisdom Tooth Removal
Initial management is usually conservative — local cleaning under the gum flap, oral hygiene advice, and antibiotics only where there is spreading infection. Definitive treatment is either extraction at our clinic if the tooth is straightforward, or referral to a specialist oral surgeon for impacted lower wisdom teeth — these can have significant surgical risks, including temporary or rarely permanent nerve injury, which will be discussed honestly in writing before any extraction.
Cost & what is included
Emergency assessment is a flat £30 for everyone — this includes the clinical examination and pain triage. X-rays (charged at £20 per image, £10 for members) and any onward treatment are quoted separately and confirmed in writing before treatment goes ahead. We will explain options and prognosis honestly; you are free to take time to decide or to seek a second opinion.
Common Causes
Understanding what has caused the problem helps you take the right next step — and helps us choose the right treatment. The most frequent reasons we see in clinic are:
- •Pericoronitis — gum flap infection around a partially erupted wisdom tooth.
- •Tooth decay in a wisdom tooth that is difficult to clean.
- •Cyst formation around an unerupted wisdom tooth.
- •Wisdom tooth pressing against and damaging the neighbouring molar.
- •Recurrent infection unresponsive to local cleaning.
Treatment Costs — Guide Prices
All prices below are guide prices for treatments most commonly needed for this kind of emergency. Your written treatment plan after the assessment will confirm the exact figure for your situation, before any treatment goes ahead. SPMD Dental Membership typically saves 50% on most dental treatments (terms apply).
| Treatment | Standard price | Member price |
|---|---|---|
Emergency dental assessment Flat £30 for everyone — examination + pain triage. | £30 | £30 |
Dental X-ray (per image) Only charged if clinically required. | £20 | £10 |
Wisdom tooth — simple extraction Fully erupted, straightforward roots. | from £250 | from £125 |
Wisdom tooth — surgical extraction Soft-tissue impacted; bone work may be needed. | from £450 | from £225 |
Wisdom tooth — complex impacted Severely impacted; specialist referral may be advised. | from £670 | from £335 |
Emergency assessment is a flat £30 for everyone (this is the standard rate — the membership discount does not apply to the assessment itself). Multi-visit treatments (e.g. root canal + crown) are quoted together so you can see the full cost up front. We never start treatment without your written agreement.
After Your Appointment
You will leave with written aftercare specific to your treatment. As a general guide, the following points apply to most patients seen for this kind of emergency:
- ✓Bite firmly on gauze for 30 minutes after extraction; avoid rinsing for 24 hours.
- ✓Cold compress (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off) for the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
- ✓Soft cool foods for 48–72 hours; avoid alcohol, smoking, hot drinks and strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
- ✓Sleep slightly propped up for the first night.
- ✓Some bruising, swelling and limited mouth opening for 3–7 days is normal. Contact us if these worsen after day 3.
If anything worries you between appointments, phone the clinic — we would much rather hear from you early than late.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my wisdom tooth be removed the same day?
Sometimes — for straightforward, fully erupted upper wisdom teeth, same-day extraction may be possible. Impacted lower wisdom teeth usually need planned surgical removal at a separate appointment, often with referral to a specialist oral surgeon.
Do I need antibiotics for wisdom tooth pain?
Antibiotics are not routinely needed. They are reserved for spreading infection, systemic illness or where definitive treatment must be delayed. Most pericoronitis settles with local cleaning, mouthwash and pain relief.
What are the risks of lower wisdom tooth removal?
Risks include bleeding, infection, dry socket, jaw stiffness, and rarely temporary or permanent injury to the inferior alveolar or lingual nerve causing numbness of the lip, chin or tongue. These are explained in writing, with the case-specific likelihood, before any extraction.
Should symptom-free wisdom teeth be removed?
No. NICE guidance recommends against prophylactic removal of asymptomatic wisdom teeth. We only treat symptomatic teeth or those causing problems to neighbouring teeth.
Other Dental Emergencies
Looking for help with something else? See our other emergency dentist pages:
Need to be seen now?
Call the clinic nearest to you. Same-day emergency appointments are subject to clinical availability — we will give you the soonest realistic slot. Out of hours, NHS 111 can also help.
SPMD Medical & Dental is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). If at any point you are unhappy with your care, we welcome your feedback. Our complaints procedure is published on our website and a copy is available on request.
