Wisdom Teeth Removal in London
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth, commonly referred to as third molars, typically appear between the ages of 17 and 25. While many people experience no immediate issues, wisdom teeth often become problematic due to limited space in the jaw, causing them to become impacted or misaligned. This can result in significant pain, swelling, infection, and even damage to adjacent teeth. At Camden High Street Dental Practice, we understand the discomfort and potential risks associated with problematic wisdom teeth.
Our expert dental team specialises in safe, gentle, and highly effective wisdom teeth removal procedures. We use advanced dental technologies and techniques to ensure that each patient receives personalised care, maximum comfort, and quick recovery times, making us London’s No1. trusted choice for wisdom teeth extraction.
Note our Wisdom Teeth Extractions are from £250 with our General Dentists and from £650 with our specialists. We do not provide opinions by phone, you must book in a consultation with one of our experts. You will always be offered an appointment within 48 hours. Please email hannah@drbp.co.uk for urgent cases where you need an appointment sooner or if you are not offered an appointment within 48 hours.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars situated at the very back of your mouth, typically emerging during early adulthood. These teeth, through evolution, are primarily considered as vestigial organs. Because of their late eruption, there often isn’t sufficient room in the jaw for these teeth to develop normally.
Consequently, these teeth frequently become impacted, meaning they fail to fully emerge or grow at unusual angles such as sideways, partially submerged beneath the gum line, or even horizontally. Such misalignment can significantly affect oral health, potentially causing severe discomfort and contributing to several complications, including:
- Pain and swelling
- Gum infections
- Tooth decay
- Crowding or damaging adjacent teeth
- Jaw cysts or abscesses
When Do I Know It’s Time for Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Normally, wisdom teeth eruption is a smooth, hassle-free procedure. But if your mouth can’t provide enough space for them to grow, they become impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth makes you suffer from swelling, pain, infection and even damage to the neighbouring teeth.
Suspended food particles and plaque buildup are more likely to affect an impacted wisdom tooth. However cautious you may be in maintaining oral hygiene, it is difficult to avoid these typical problems with impacted wisdom teeth.
The problems of plaque buildup and suspended food particles can lead to greater complexities, including:
- Tooth decay: Harmful bacteria present in the plaque affect the outer enamel covering. Gradually, in advanced stages, decay spreads to the surrounding teeth, causing extensive damage and sensitivity.
- Gum disease: Plaque buildup creates toxins that constantly irritate gum tissues. Over time, gums become red, swollen, and painful. This problem quickly escalates, potentially causing widespread gum recession and periodontal disease.
- Pericoronitis: This condition refers specifically to gum inflammation around the wisdom tooth, causing acute pain, swelling, and difficulty in chewing or swallowing.
- Cellulitis: It is a serious bacterial infection affecting the tongue, cheek, and throat. It may cause significant swelling, difficulty breathing, and swallowing, requiring immediate medical attention.
- Abscess: A bacterial infection leading to pus formation around the wisdom tooth, accompanied by intense pain and swelling. Abscesses can rapidly spread to other oral tissues, creating severe discomfort and health risks.
Our dental experts at Camden High Street Dental Practice usually prescribe over-the-counter antibiotics and therapeutic mouthwashes as initial management. If medication fails to resolve your issue or the condition is severe, we recommend removing your wisdom teeth as a permanent and effective solution.
Signs You May Need Wisdom Teeth Removal
Wisdom teeth often cause issues even before fully erupting through the gums. Early identification can significantly improve your comfort and oral health. You might require wisdom teeth extraction if you’re experiencing:
- Persistent or intermittent pain and swelling around your jaw, gums, or mouth area
- Difficulty or pain when opening your mouth widely, such as yawning or speaking
- Problems chewing food comfortably
- Gum redness, tenderness, swelling, or noticeable bleeding
- Persistent or recurring bad breath, an unpleasant taste in your mouth, or ongoing mouth odour issues
- Frequent headaches or earaches related to oral discomfort
- Sensitivity or sharp pains in the back of your mouth, especially around the last molars
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is advisable to schedule a consultation with our experts promptly for an evaluation and professional advice.
Risks and Contraindications of Wisdom Teeth Removal
As with any surgical procedure, wisdom teeth removal carries certain risks, although serious complications are rare. Potential risks include:
- Infection: Though uncommon, infection can occur after the extraction. Proper post-operative care and prescribed antibiotics significantly reduce this risk, and our experts are always there to help.
- Bleeding: Excessive or prolonged bleeding is rare, but if it occurs, immediate intervention may be necessary.
- Dry socket (Alveolar Osteitis): A condition characterised by severe pain, usually due to the dislodging of the blood clot at the extraction site. Avoid using straws or doing any activity that may dislodge the clot. Maintain hygiene and consume a healthy diet for faster healing.
- Nerve injury: Temporary or permanent numbness or tingling in the tongue, lips, or chin due to nerve damage can occur in rare cases. However, rest assured, our experts perform every procedure carefully to avoid any complications.
Contraindications or situations where wisdom tooth extraction might not be advisable include:
- Blood disorders or clotting issues: Patients with clotting disorders may be at a higher risk of excessive bleeding.
- Severe systemic health conditions: Certain conditions, such as uncontrolled diabetes or compromised immune systems, might necessitate postponement or special management of the extraction procedure.
- Pregnancy: Elective wisdom tooth extraction is typically deferred until after pregnancy unless it is urgent.
- Radiation therapy: Patients currently undergoing radiation therapy in the head and neck region might have delayed or compromised healing.
Our dentists carefully evaluate each patient’s medical history during the consultation to ensure wisdom teeth removal is safe and appropriate.
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What to Expect During Wisdom Teeth Removal
At Camden High Street Dental Practice, we strive to ensure that your experience with wisdom teeth removal is comfortable, stress-free, and well-informed from start to finish. Our dedicated team supports you every step of the way, beginning with your initial consultation, right through to rendering post-operative care. Transparency, compassion, and personalised treatment are the cornerstones of our approach, ensuring every patient feels secure and confident throughout the entire process.
Comprehensive Consultation and Examination
During your initial consultation, one of our expert dentists will conduct a thorough oral examination to evaluate the condition and positioning of your wisdom teeth. We use advanced diagnostic tools such as digital X-rays and 3D imaging, which allow us to precisely assess the complexity of your case and determine the safest and most effective method of extraction.
Personalised Treatment Plan
Based on your unique circumstances and the findings from your examination, our oral and maxillofacial surgeon will create a customised treatment plan. This includes a detailed explanation of each step of the procedure, providing clarity and confidence. We ensure you fully understand the process and what to expect before, during, and after the extraction.
Anaesthesia and Sedation Options
Ensuring your comfort during the procedure is a top priority at Camden High Street Dental Practice. We typically administer local anaesthesia, thoroughly numbing the extraction area to prevent discomfort. For more complex cases or patients experiencing higher levels of anxiety, sedation options such as oral sedation or intravenous (IV) sedation may be recommended. These sedation techniques help patients remain calm and relaxed throughout the procedure, significantly reducing any stress or anxiety.
The Extraction Procedure and Managing Complex Cases
Wisdom tooth extraction usually takes approximately 10 to 20 minutes, although the duration can vary depending on complexity. In straightforward cases, the tooth is gently removed with precision techniques that minimise trauma to surrounding tissues.
However, some wisdom teeth can be significantly impacted, positioned awkwardly beneath the gum line, or embedded deeply within the jawbone. These more complicated scenarios may require advanced surgical techniques, such as bone guttering that typically involves carefully removing a small amount of bone around the tooth, or tooth sectioning, which involves dividing the tooth into smaller segments for easier extraction. Our skilled oral surgeons handle such complexities with meticulous care and precision, ensuring minimal discomfort and optimal healing outcomes.
Post-Operative Care and Recovery
Following the procedure, you can expect some mild swelling, bruising, and manageable discomfort or pain. Initially, minor bleeding is also common but usually resolves quickly. To help manage these symptoms, our team will provide you with comprehensive post-operative instructions, including:
- Applying cold packs intermittently to reduce swelling and ease discomfort
- Taking prescribed pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications as directed
- Using antibiotics, if prescribed, to prevent infection
- Maintaining a soft diet initially, gradually reintroducing firmer foods as your healing progresses
- Practicing gentle oral hygiene techniques, such as rinsing with salt water or special mouthwashes, to promote comfortable and efficient healing
At Camden High Street Dental Practice, our commitment to your well-being extends beyond the procedure itself. We schedule follow-up appointments to closely monitor your recovery, ensuring your healing progresses smoothly and addressing any concerns promptly.
Why Choose Camden High Street Dental Practice?
Experienced Dental Specialists
Our dental surgeons have extensive experience in oral surgery and wisdom teeth removal. Using advanced techniques, we minimise discomfort and ensure rapid healing.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Our clinic is equipped with modern diagnostic tools, including digital X-rays and 3D imaging, to precisely evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth and plan optimal extraction procedures.
Personalised Patient Care
At Camden High Street Dental Practice, patient comfort and satisfaction are paramount. Our professional team offers personalised care plans tailored to your specific needs, answering all questions and addressing any anxieties before treatment.
Book Your Consultation Today
Contact Camden High Street Dental Practice today at 02073886108 or book online to schedule your consultation and take the first step to address your wisdom teeth concerns and maintain optimal oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, wisdom teeth removal is ideal between ages 17 and 25, as the roots haven’t fully developed, making extraction easier and recovery quicker. However, extraction can be performed safely at older ages if necessary.
During the procedure, local anaesthesia or sedation ensures you won’t feel pain. You might feel slight pressure, but our dentists take great care to minimise any discomfort.
Initial healing usually occurs within a week. Most patients fully recover and resume all normal activities within 7-10 days, though complete healing of the extraction site can take a few weeks.
Generally, wisdom teeth removal does not alter facial appearance. Temporary swelling is common immediately after surgery, but this subsides quickly without permanent facial changes. However, we are there to address any concerns that may arise.
Removing all four at once is often recommended to prevent future complications and limit recovery time to a single period. However, each patient’s situation is unique, and our dentists provide personalised advice.
To reduce the risk of dry socket, avoid smoking, drinking through straws, vigorous rinsing, and strenuous activities for at least a week post-surgery. Follow our detailed aftercare instructions carefully and visit for a follow-up after a week.
Stitches aren’t always necessary. However, they are commonly used in complex or impacted wisdom tooth extractions to ensure optimal healing. They typically dissolve within 7-10 days.
If you experience increasing pain, swelling, persistent bad breath, or discharge from the extraction site, contact our practice immediately for assessment and possible antibiotic treatment.
While you might feel ready within 1-2 days, it is generally advisable to rest at least 48 hours to ensure proper initial healing and manage discomfort effectively.
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We are one of the countries leading clinics for complicated wisdom teeth extraction. Dr Javier Perez our oral surgeon has pioneered his own techniques to remove wisdom teeth in the most gentle and safest methods using innovative surgical techniques. We have removed over 5000 + wisdom teeth over the years. We have a national reputation for complex removals with patients coming from all over the UK. Dr Javier Perez is available at our Camden High Street Dental Clinic and at our sister clinic Dulwich Dental Office. You may call the clinics to find out the earliest availability with Dr Javier Perez.
Dr Javier Perez
Dental Implant, Oral Surgeon (Special Interest), and Wisdom Tooth Expert
Lic Odont, PG Cert (Implant), MClinDent (Implant), Dip Oral Surg RCS (Eng), PG Cert Cons Sed
GDC No: 225487
Special interest in Oral Surgery & Dental Implants
Dental Implant and Oral Surgeon Expert
Dr Javier Perez graduated in dental surgery in 2010.
His clinical practice is focused on dental implants and oral surgery, from simple single tooth replacements to complex reconstructions involving both soft and hard tissues.
Dr Javier has completed a Masters in Implant Dentistry MClinDent (Implant) in London over three years and was awarded a diploma in Oral Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, one of the most prestigious colleges in UK.
Dr Perez has trained in Oral Surgery at the Maxillofacial Unit in the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in South England. He is at the forefront of dental implants and oral surgery regularly attending National and International conferences to develop his skills and learn about the latest trends in Implantology.
At Camden High Street Dental our implant team have placed over 5000 implants, often undertaking and being referred cases from other practioners. We also consult and treat cases where you may have been told that you are unsuitable for dental implants. Having assembled one of the countries leading dental implant teams we can treat the most advanced and complex cases here at Camden High Street Dental.
Outside of work Dr Javier spends the majority of his time with his young family, recently welcoming a new son (October, 2021). He enjoys spending weekends exploring London, especially going to local food markets.
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Dentist Near You
At Camden High Street Dental Practice, we’re passionate about providing first-class dental care for individuals and families across London. Welcoming both NHS and private patients, our experienced dental professionals in London offer a complete range of treatments designed to improve oral health, restore damaged teeth and enhance the appearance of your smile. Whether you require a routine examination in Highgate, composite bonding near Golders Green, Invisalign in West Hampstead, teeth whitening in Kilburn, or dental implants close to Hampstead, our team is here to provide expert care every step of the way.
Our modern practice offers everything from preventative dentistry and hygiene appointments to fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, root canal treatment, Invisalign, cosmetic smile enhancements and advanced implant solutions. We tailor every treatment plan to suit your individual needs, ensuring you receive high-quality care in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Patients travelling from Cricklewood, Brent Cross, Hendon, Finchley and St. John’s Wood trust Camden High Street Dental Practice for our commitment to clinical excellence and personalised patient care. We take the time to explain every procedure clearly, helping you make confident decisions about your dental health.
Whether your priority is routine dental maintenance or achieving a brighter, straighter smile, Camden High Street Dental Practice is here to help you enjoy excellent oral health for years to come.
