Wisdom teeth can cause problems if they become impacted when they start to emerge through the gums.
If this leads to inflammation, pain and infection, it is likely that you will need to have the wisdom tooth removed.
Impacted wisdom teeth normally require surgical removal, which involves elevating the gum covering the tooth (we call this raising a flap), and possibly some drilling a small amount of bone from around the impacted tooth with a surgical drill. The wisdom tooth may also be cut into small pieces.
I will offer you the safest type of anaesthetic that is right for you:
If the surgery is simple and you are happy with the thought of oral surgery, the tooth can be removed with just an injection to numb the area. This is a local anaesthetic and can be done in a clinic or in a hospital operating theatre.
If you feel the need for something to help with anxiety you can have local anaesthetic with some intra-venous sedation administered by a consultant anaesthetist.
Alternatively, if you are very anxious or the position of the wisdom tooth makes the surgery difficult, you can have a full general anaesthetic with a consultant anaesthetist. This can only be done in a hospital operating theatre.
You can have the tooth removed under local anaesthetic for £500 – £600.
Intravenous sedation usually costs an additional £200.
If you wish to have the procedure carried out in a hospital operating theatre, including general anaesthetic, the cost will depend on the hospital costs and the total fee is usually in the region of £2300 to £2500.
How can I pay for surgical wisdom tooth extraction?
If you have private medical insurance, you will almost certainly find they will cover you fully for impacted wisdom tooth removal.
Your policy should cover hospital costs, surgeon’s fees and, where applicable, anaesthetist’s fees. The insurance code for surgical removal of impacted tooth or teeth is F0910.