Wisdom tooth removal in Islington, on Essex Road
Reviewed By
Dr Vishal Patel
BDS Liverpool · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry Manchester · GDC 103127 · AACD Member · Invisalign provider for 15 years · Spark, 32Co, Six Month Smiles and Fastbraces provider · Myobrace certified · IFAAS (International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science) · Facial anatomy & cadaver course, Dr Ali Pirayesh, University of Amsterdam · Harley Academy foundation training in injectable aesthetics · IBSA-trained (Profhilo) · NeoStrata-trained (skin peels) · Lynton Lasers trained, incl. ONDA
Last Updated
October 21, 2026
A careful assessment first, an honest view on whether the tooth needs to come out, and a gentle extraction under local anaesthetic when it does.
Wisdom tooth removal at Dental & Wellness London, 222 Essex Road, Islington N1, is carried out under local anaesthetic by Dr Rishil Patel, who trained in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Barts and The London. We remove a wisdom tooth only when there is a clear reason, such as repeated infection or decay, and give you a written quote after an X-ray assessment. Most people recover within a week.
Wisdom Tooth Removal Islington
- Removal only when there is a clear clinical reason
- X-ray assessment, with 3D imaging where the tooth is close to the nerve
- Local anaesthetic; sedation can be arranged for anxious patients
- Carried out by Dr Rishil Patel, hospital-trained in oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Usually 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the tooth
- Most people are back to normal within a week
- Written quote after assessment; problem assessment £75
- 0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status
For wisdom tooth removal in Islington, Dental & Wellness London at 222 Essex Road, N1 3AP, offers a careful assessment, an honest opinion on whether the tooth needs to come out, and a gentle extraction under local anaesthetic when it does. Wisdom teeth are removed by Dr Rishil Patel, who trained in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Barts and The London. This page explains when removal makes sense, what happens on the day, what recovery is really like, and what it costs.
What wisdom teeth are, and why they cause problems
Wisdom teeth are the third molars, the last teeth to come through, usually between the ages of 17 and 25. Many jaws do not have quite enough room for them. When there is space and they come up straight, they are useful teeth. When there is not, they can become impacted: stuck at an angle, partly through the gum, or pressed against the molar in front.
An impacted or partly erupted wisdom tooth is hard to clean. Food and bacteria collect under the flap of gum over it, which is why wisdom tooth pain so often comes and goes.
Signs your wisdom tooth may need attention
- Pain or tenderness at the back of the mouth, often coming and going over weeks or months.
- Swollen, sore gum over a partly erupted tooth, sometimes with a bad taste or smell. This is pericoronitis, the most common wisdom tooth problem.
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully, or a stiff, aching jaw.
- Food trapping behind the last molar, or decay in the wisdom tooth or the tooth in front.
If you have swelling that is spreading into the face or neck, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a high temperature, seek urgent medical care straight away.
Does the wisdom tooth need to come out?
Not always. We follow the same principle as national clinical guidance: a healthy wisdom tooth that is causing no problems is usually best left alone and checked at your routine examinations. We recommend removal when there is a clear reason:
- repeated or severe episodes of gum infection (pericoronitis);
- decay in the wisdom tooth that cannot sensibly be repaired;
- decay or damage to the second molar in front, caused by the wisdom tooth;
- a cyst or other change around the tooth seen on X-ray;
- a tooth that is damaging the gum or bite, or that needs to come out before other dental treatment.
We will show you the X-ray and explain our reasoning, including when we think the tooth is better left in place.
Why we take X-rays before deciding
The roots of lower wisdom teeth often sit close to the inferior alveolar nerve, which supplies feeling to the lower lip and chin. A panoramic X-ray shows the position of the tooth and its roots. Where the roots appear close to the nerve, a 3D (CBCT) scan lets us see the relationship precisely and plan the safest approach. Where a tooth is very close to the nerve or needs hospital-based care, we refer to a specialist oral surgeon rather than take an avoidable risk.
Wisdom tooth extraction, step by step
- Assessment. If you are in pain, a dental problem assessment (£75) is the quickest route in; otherwise it can be part of a routine dental examination (£65). We examine the area, take X-rays and agree a plan, with a written quote.
- Anaesthetic. The area is numbed with local anaesthetic. You will feel pressure and movement, but not sharp pain. For anxious patients, sedation can be arranged.
- Removal. A fully erupted tooth can often be removed simply and quickly. An impacted tooth is minor oral surgery: the gum is eased back, a little bone may be removed, and the tooth is often divided into sections so it comes out with less force.
- Closing. The socket is cleaned and, where needed, closed with dissolving stitches. You bite on a gauze pad while the clot forms.
- Aftercare. You go home with written aftercare instructions and a number to call if you are worried.
Most extractions take 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the position of the tooth.
Recovery, day by day
- The first 24 hours: some oozing is normal. Rest, keep your head raised, and avoid rinsing, hot drinks, smoking and straws.
- Days two and three: swelling and jaw stiffness usually peak. Cold packs and ordinary painkillers help.
- Days four to seven: swelling settles and eating returns to normal. Our guide to what to eat after a tooth extraction has practical ideas.
- Beyond a week: the socket keeps filling in for several weeks. Gentle warm salt-water rinses keep it clean.
Risks, and how we reduce them
- Dry socket: a painful socket after the clot is lost, usually two to four days afterwards. Not smoking and following the aftercare advice reduce the risk; if it happens, we clean and dress the socket.
- Infection: uncommon, and treated promptly if it occurs.
- Numbness of the lip, chin or tongue: occasionally the nerves near a lower wisdom tooth are bruised, causing tingling or numbness. This is usually temporary and rarely permanent. Careful X-ray planning, and referral for the highest-risk teeth, keep this risk as low as possible.
- Bleeding and swelling: expected in the first days, and manageable with the aftercare advice.
Wisdom tooth removal cost in Islington and London
Because no two wisdom teeth are the same, we give you a written quote after assessment, once the X-ray shows the position of the tooth and its roots. A fully erupted upper tooth is quicker and costs less to remove than an impacted lower tooth that needs minor surgery. A dental problem assessment is £75, a routine examination is £65, and X-rays are £18 each where needed. We offer 0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status. See all our fees on the prices page.
Why choose us for wisdom tooth removal
Dental & Wellness London has been on Essex Road since 2010 and is rated 4.7 from more than 300 Google reviews. Dr Rishil Patel (BDS Hons, King's College London; MClinDent Implantology; MJDF; GDC 154292) worked as a Senior House Officer in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Barts and The London, and is known for a gentle, unhurried approach with nervous patients. We take time to explain whether removal is needed, plan from proper imaging, and refer when that is the safer choice. If a tooth has already been lost, we can talk through dental implants and other ways to replace it.
For more detail, read our articles on when wisdom tooth removal is necessary and what the procedure feels like. If you are in pain now, our emergency dentist in Islington page explains how to be seen quickly.
Getting here
We are at 222 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm (Tuesday from 9am), by appointment only.
- By train: Essex Road station is about two minutes on foot; Highbury & Islington is one stop north.
- By bus: the 38, 56, 73, 341 and 476 stop on Essex Road close to the door.
- On foot from Angel: allow 15 to 20 minutes along Essex Road; see our Angel page.
- After your extraction: you will be numb for a few hours, so plan an easy journey home and avoid cycling that day.
Pericoronitis
Angled or partly erupted
Wisdom tooth or its neighbour
Healthy wisdom teeth that cause no problems are usually best left in place and checked at routine examinations.
| Assessment & X-ray | Examination, X-rays and, where the roots are near the nerve, a 3D scan. We explain whether the tooth needs to come out and give you a written quote. |
| Extraction | Local anaesthetic, gentle removal (sectioned where impacted), dissolving stitches where needed. Usually 30 to 60 minutes. |
| First week | Swelling peaks on days two and three, then settles. Soft food, gentle salt-water rinses, no smoking or straws. |
| Review | A check where needed to make sure the socket is healing well. Call us any time if pain is getting worse rather than better. |
Our happy patients,
in their own words
Transparent pricing
Prices are set out below. Your written plan confirms the fee before any treatment begins.
| Service | Dental & Wellness London (Wisdom Tooth Removal) |
|---|---|
| Dental problem assessment (pain) | £75 |
| Routine dental examination | £65 |
| X-rays, where needed | £18 per X-ray |
| Wisdom tooth extraction | Quoted in writing after assessment |
| Finance | 0% APR over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status |
0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo, subject to status.
Questions
people ask
If your question isn't answered here, call reception on 020 8127 4567 or email reception.
How much does wisdom tooth removal cost in Islington?
Every wisdom tooth is different, so we quote in writing after assessment, once an X-ray shows the position of the tooth and its roots. A dental problem assessment is £75 (or £65 as part of a routine examination), and X-rays are £18 each where needed. A fully erupted tooth costs less to remove than an impacted one that needs minor surgery. 0% APR finance over 12 months via Tabeo is available, subject to status.
Does every wisdom tooth need to be removed?
No. A healthy wisdom tooth that has come through straight and can be cleaned is usually best left in place and checked at your routine examinations. We recommend removal when there is a clear reason: repeated gum infection (pericoronitis), decay in the wisdom tooth or the tooth in front, a cyst, or damage to the neighbouring tooth or gum.
Does wisdom tooth removal hurt?
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you should feel pressure and movement but not sharp pain. Soreness and swelling usually peak on the second or third day and are managed with ordinary painkillers and cold packs. If you are anxious, tell us at your assessment and we will talk through the options, including sedation.
How long does recovery take after wisdom tooth removal?
Most people are through the worst within a week. Expect mild bleeding on the first day, swelling and jaw stiffness peaking on days two and three, and a gradual return to normal eating by days four to seven. The socket itself takes several weeks to fill in. Surgical removal of an impacted lower tooth can take a little longer to settle than a simple extraction.
What is a dry socket, and how can I avoid one?
A dry socket happens when the blood clot in the socket is lost too early, leaving the bone exposed. It causes a throbbing ache that usually starts two to four days after the extraction. To protect the clot, avoid smoking, straws, spitting and vigorous rinsing for the first few days, then rinse gently with warm salt water. If the pain gets worse rather than better, contact us and we will see you.
Who removes wisdom teeth at your clinic?
Wisdom teeth are removed by Dr Rishil Patel (GDC 154292), who trained in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Barts and The London and holds an MClinDent in Implantology. Where a tooth lies very close to the nerve or needs hospital-based care, we refer to a specialist oral surgeon and explain why.
Can I be seen quickly with wisdom tooth pain?
Yes. Call early in the day and we will try to see you the same day for a dental problem assessment (£75). We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm (Tuesday from 9am), by appointment. If you have swelling that is spreading, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or a high temperature, seek urgent medical care straight away.
Book a wisdom tooth assessment
If a wisdom tooth is aching or the gum keeps flaring up, call 020 8127 4567 or message us on WhatsApp. We will tell you honestly whether it needs to come out.
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