Skip to main contentSkip to main content

How it's performed


If your dentist recommends removing your wisdom teeth, they'll take an X-ray of your mouth to help them determine who should carry out the procedure.

Any charges and payment methods should be discussed before the procedure begins. Read more about NHS dental charges.

Before having your wisdom teeth removed, you'll be given an injection of local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and surrounding area.

If you're particularly anxious about the procedure, your dentist or surgeon may give you a sedative to help you relax. This will usually be an injection into your arm.

General anaesthetic is rarely needed for wisdom tooth removal. It's only occasionally used when the procedure is carried out in hospital. However, in this case, you should still be able to go home on the same day as the procedure.


The tooth may be cut into smaller parts to make it easier to remove through the opening. There's less need to make an incision if the tooth has broken through the gum.



How long it takes to remove the tooth will vary. Simple procedures can take a few minutes, but it can take longer than 20 minutes if it's more complicated.

If an incision has been made, dissolving stitches are used to seal the gum. Your dentist will tell you how long the stitches take to dissolve (usually 7 to 10 days).

Your dentist may place gauze over the site of the extraction and ask you to keep pressure on it by biting your jaws together for up to an hour. This is to allow a blood clot to form in the empty tooth socket. Blood clots are part of the healing process, so try not to dislodge them.

In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed if you have an ongoing infection.

For the 24 hours after removing your wisdom tooth, you should avoid:

  • rinsing your mouth out with liquid
  • drinking alcohol and smoking
  • drinking hot liquids such as tea or soup 
  • strenuous physical activity