Emergency dental treatments
Surgical extraction: when a tooth has to be cut out and what that involves
Some teeth will not come out with forceps: broken roots, impacted wisdom teeth, teeth fused to bone. A surgical extraction gets them out cleanly. This is what that means for you.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Ibraheem Ijaz, Principal Dentist · GDC 301711 · Last reviewed April 2026
What makes an extraction surgical
A simple extraction relies on being able to grip the tooth above the gum and rock it free. A surgical extraction is any removal where that is not possible and we have to change the anatomy to get access: lifting the gum back, removing a little bone from around the tooth, or cutting the tooth into pieces so each root can come out along its own path. The word surgical sounds alarming. In practice it means a longer appointment, a stitch or two afterwards and a slightly slower recovery, still under local anaesthetic in the same chair. It is not the same as a hospital operation under general anaesthetic.
The decision is usually made from the X-ray before we start, but not always. A tooth that looks straightforward can snap at the gum line during a simple extraction, at which point we switch to a surgical approach in the same visit to retrieve the root. We tell you when that happens, and the fee for what was actually done is confirmed with you before you leave.
Teeth that usually need surgical removal
Impacted lower wisdom teeth
Teeth broken at or below the gum
Retained roots
Root-treated teeth
Teeth with curved, splayed or bulbous roots
Ankylosed teeth
Teeth with a vertical root fracture
Surgical extraction step by step
Planning.
Anaesthetic.
Raising a flap.
Removing bone.
Sectioning.
Lifting out the pieces
Stitches.
Most surgical extractions, including wisdom teeth, are done in-house by Dr Ijaz, whose postgraduate implant training includes a great deal of surgery in the jaw. The most complex cases, for example a deeply buried wisdom tooth wrapped around the nerve, are seen by our visiting implant clinician Mohammed Anabtawi, still at the practice rather than through a hospital waiting list.
Surgical extraction fees, sedation and finance
The figure is confirmed in writing before we begin, and if a simple extraction turns surgical part-way through we discuss the change with you. 0% finance over 6 to 18 months, or longer terms at 10.9% APR representative, is available through Tabeo, subject to status. The broader picture is on our extractions and wisdom teeth page.
| Treatment | Fee (from) |
|---|---|
| Emergency examination including X-rays | £30 |
| CBCT 3D scan, when a root is close to the nerve | £150 |
| Surgical extraction of a non-wisdom tooth or retained root | Upper end of the £120–£260 extraction range |
| Wisdom tooth extraction, including surgical removal | £350–£450 |
| Conscious sedation, per session | £200 |
| Out-of-hours (after 6pm weekdays, weekends) | Additional charge |
Recovery after a surgical extraction
The first 24 hours. Expect more swelling than after a simple extraction; it peaks around 48 hours and can make the cheek noticeably puffy. A cold pack wrapped in a tea towel, ten minutes on and ten off through the first evening, limits it. Take ibuprofen and paracetamol as directed on the packet before the anaesthetic wears off, and keep taking them regularly for the first two days rather than waiting for pain. No rinsing, spitting, straws, smoking, alcohol or exercise. Soft, cool food only, on the other side.
Days two to seven. Warm salt-water rinses after meals from day two. Jaw stiffness is normal and eases with gentle opening exercises; a bruise on the cheek or neck can appear on day three or four and is harmless. The stitches loosen and drop out on their own. Chewing returns to normal over the week. Call us if swelling is still growing after day three, if you have a fever, if pain rises sharply from day two with a foul taste, which suggests a dry socket, or if the lip or chin is still numb 24 hours after the anaesthetic should have worn off.
Risks specific to surgical removal
Alongside the general risks of any extraction, surgical removal has a few of its own. Lower wisdom teeth sit near two nerves: the one to the lip and chin and the one to the side of the tongue. Temporary altered sensation happens in a small minority of cases and usually recovers within weeks; permanent change is rare, and the CBCT scan is how we keep it that way. Upper wisdom teeth and molars have roots near the sinus, and occasionally a small opening is made into it, which we close with stitches and which heals with a week of not blowing your nose. Dry socket is more likely after lower surgical extractions than simple ones, and more likely again in smokers. Swelling, bruising and a few days of restricted opening are expected rather than complications.
Questions, answered
Common questions
Is a surgical extraction painful?
Not during the procedure, which is done under local anaesthetic with sedation available. Afterwards there is more swelling and aching than with a simple extraction, usually well controlled with ibuprofen and paracetamol for two or three days.
Will I be put to sleep for a surgical extraction?
No. We do not use general anaesthetic. We offer conscious sedation, where you are awake but deeply relaxed and remember little. General anaesthetic is only available in hospital and is rarely needed.
How long does a surgical extraction take?
Typically 30 to 60 minutes in the chair, depending on the tooth. Complex wisdom teeth are at the longer end.
How much does surgical removal of a wisdom tooth cost?
At Deepcar Dental Care wisdom tooth extraction is £350 to £450, plus the £30 examination and £150 if a CBCT scan is needed. Sedation is £200 a session.
How long does it take to recover?
Most people are back to normal eating within a week. Swelling peaks at two days and settles over five to seven. The socket takes a few weeks to close over and the bone several months to fill in.
Do the stitches need removing?
No. We use dissolving stitches that loosen and fall out over one to two weeks. If one is irritating you, we can take it out earlier.
In pain? Don’t wait
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