Emergency Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removal in Finchley

Know when wisdom tooth pain needs immediate action. Call us for a same-day emergency appointment if you have severe, lasting pain that does not ease with painkillers, noticeable swelling around the jaw, trouble opening your mouth or swallowing, or a high temperature. These can be signs of infection such as pericoronitis or a dental abscess that needs prompt treatment to prevent spread. If your symptoms are mild discomfort without swelling, you should still book the next available appointment, but the urgency may be lower. Our team can help you gauge urgency over the phone.

Your 60-minute emergency visit aims to relieve pain and outline a clear plan. We start by discussing your symptoms and medical history. Then we take digital X-rays or a 3D CBCT scan to see the tooth’s position, roots, and how close it is to nerves. This imaging helps us plan a safe extraction. Based on the scan, we confirm whether the tooth is impacted, infected, or decayed. We then review the best next steps, which may include a quick cleaning and antibiotics if there is infection, or scheduling a surgical extraction. We reserve time to perform extractions on the same day for acute cases when possible.

Recovery from wisdom tooth removal usually takes up to two weeks. In the first 24 hours, avoid rinsing, spitting, or drinking very hot liquids to protect the healing clot. Swelling and discomfort peak in the first two to three days and can be managed with ibuprofen and a cold cheek pack for short intervals. Eat soft foods like soup, yogurt, and smoothies for several days. Many people can return to work after two to three days. Red flags include increasing pain after day four, ongoing bleeding, fever, or a bad taste in the mouth; contact us during office hours if these occur. If you have a serious emergency outside these hours, go to A&E or call 111.

Extraction is the common solution for problematic impacted wisdom teeth, with few alternatives. If only the gum is inflamed (pericoronitis), cleaning the area and a course of antibiotics may resolve the immediate issue, though the problem could return. For some lower wisdom teeth near a major nerve, a coronectomy may be considered. This removes the crown but leaves the roots to minimize nerve risk. In most cases of painful impaction with infection or damage to nearby teeth, removal is advised to prevent future problems.

To choose wisely about your care, ask these questions whether you stay with us or go to another Finchley practice. Start with whether the extraction will be simple or surgical, as this affects recovery time and cost. Ask about the specific risks in your case based on your 3D scan. Check the total price, and whether it covers the consultation, scans, and follow-up visits. Finally, ask what to expect for pain and swelling and how much time you should take off work to recover.

As a fully private practice, we provide clear pricing with no hidden fees. The cost depends on the complexity of the case. A simple extraction is less involved than a surgical extraction for a deeply impacted tooth. Your emergency consult, including X-rays or a 3D CBCT scan, will be quoted upfront, followed by a detailed treatment plan with the full cost before we proceed. We accept private dental insurance from Denplan, Max Bupa, and Cigna. Please share your policy details so we can help.