What is Tooth Extraction and How Much Does It Cost in 2025

Tooth extraction is often your last resort when a tooth is too damaged or infected to save.

Dentists typically avoid extractions because they can cause tooth movement, chewing difficulties, and even speech problems.

If that tooth is affected by cavities, periodontal disease, or fracture, it must be extracted. In this article, we’ll cover the definition, procedure, recovery, replacement options, and cost of tooth extractions.

What is Tooth Extraction?

It is a procedure in which a dentist, using specialised tools, removes a tooth from its socket to extract a tooth that cannot be repaired.

Healthcare providers prefer to preserve natural teeth when possible. However, sometimes restorative methods, such as fillings or crowns, may no longer work. This may be because the tooth is damaged beyond repair; therefore, removal will be necessary. 

Common reasons for extraction include:

• Severe tooth decay
• Fractured or broken teeth
• Advanced gum disease (periodontitis)
• Impacted or crowded teeth
• Dental trauma from accidents or injury
• Wisdom tooth complications
  

Once your dentist confirms extraction as the best option, proper preparation helps ensure a safe and smooth procedure.

Tooth Extraction Procedure:

Preparing 

Patients only need to inform their dentist of any medications, vitamins, or supplements they are currently taking. This is crucial as some medications can slow down your healing after surgery or cause health complications. 

During the initial consultation, your dentist will discuss the sedation options available. We highly recommend it if you have dental anxiety or want to be more relaxed during the removal process. 

We’ve also provided a checklist of what occurs during the initial clinic visit.

• Getting X-rays: Your dentist will use them to check tooth position, roots, and bone health.
• Sharing your medical history: Disclose conditions and medications.
• Adjust medications if needed: Only under your doctor’s supervision.
• Follow fasting instructions: Usually 6–8 hours if sedation is planned.
• Plan your recovery day: Arrange a ride home and keep your schedule light.

With preparation complete and the foundation set, you’re ready for the extraction itself.

The Extraction 

A typical tooth extraction is straightforward:

1. Your dentist will apply the local anaesthesia to numb the affected tooth area.
2. Depending on the case and the tooth, an incision may be made if it is decayed or broken at the gum line. Some cases require dividing the tooth into sections prior to extraction. 
3. The dentist will generally attempt to gently loosen the tooth with specialised, sterile dental instruments and carefully remove it from its socket. 
4. Then, they’ll try to clean and disinfect the tooth socket after the removal. 
5. A bone graft might be inserted in the empty socket to prevent bone loss in your jaw.
6. Finally, our dentist may place stitches if needed.

Tooth removal usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. We do not recommend multiple tooth extractions in a single session unless your pain tolerance is very high.

Removing a damaged tooth is only the first step, and planning its replacement is just as important.

Recovering

The first 24 and 48 hours are the most important for recovery. At this time, it’s normal to experience mild swelling, bleeding, and some discomfort as your body begins to heal.

Your gum’s time to heal usually starts closing within one to two weeks, while deeper bone healing takes longer, often months. To enhance your healing process, you must follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions. This minimises complications and helps ensure a smooth recovery. 

Recovery is vital, and with proper aftercare, most patients heal smoothly within weeks.

Do’s and Don’ts for Tooth Extraction

These are the guidelines that your dentist will advise you to do to speed up your healing process. The NHS released a pdf guide that contains best tips for aftercare.

We’ve compiled a table that contains the essentials of what to expect, do and avoid in the first 3 months after getting your tooth removed:

Removing a bad tooth is important, but planning what comes next matters just as much.

Tooth Replacement Options

Replacements for the extractions are commonly used after extraction. They are meant to fill the gap where your tooth used to be. This helps restore normal chewing in that area, reduces pressure on adjacent teeth, and avoids changes in your bite. That said, your dentist will recommend one of three options.

1. Dental Implants:

It is a procedure in which the dentist inserts a metal screw into your jawbone. That screw acts as a new tooth root and supports a crown on top of it.

• Natural feel & function: Designed to look and act like real teeth.
  
• Long-term solution:  Can last decades with proper care.
• Considerations: Requires surgery, longer healing time, and higher upfront cost.

2. Dental Bridges is

An artificial tooth that’s placed in the gap that is supported by the teeth on either side.

• Mid-range choice: A fixed replacement anchored to neighbouring teeth.
• Faster than implants: typically completed within weeks, not months.
• Considerations: Involves reshaping nearby teeth; the lifespan is shorter than that of implants.

3. Dentures:

These are removable artificial teeth, made of plastic or metal, used to replace one or more missing teeth or a full set.

• Affordable & versatile: Can replace one tooth or multiple.
• Removable option:  Easy to clean and adjust.
• Considerations: May feel less stable than fixed options, requires replacement over time.

Average Cost of Tooth Extraction in the UK (2026Update)

Teeth extraction is under NHS band 2, whereas surgical procedures are under band 3. Your dentist will inform you of what will be required during the preparation stage. 

Bands 2 and 3 also cover the exam, X-rays, and extraction. The fee is £75.30 as of April 2025. 

While prices have not always been this high, they were historically lower. 

With tooth extraction and its replacement in check, we’ll discuss the most asked questions and answer them in case you were curious about anything.

FAQs

What precautions should I take?

You must rest well, avoid strenuous activity for the first 24–48 hours, and stick to soft foods. Don’t poke or touch the extraction site, as this can disturb the clot and slow healing.

Should I rinse after extraction?

You should not rinse your mouth for the first 24 hours, as this may dislodge the clot. Subsequently, rinse gently with warm saline to keep the area clean.

Can I drink or smoke after extraction?

Avoid alcohol and smoking for at least 48–72 hours, since both can irritate the site and increase the risk of dry socket. Water and non-carbonated drinks are best for staying hydrated.

Should I brush my teeth or use mouthwash?

You may brush your other teeth as usual, but avoid brushing directly at the extraction site for a few days. Don’t use mouthwash unless prescribed, as it can interfere with clotting.

What do I do if it keeps bleeding?

Place clean gauze over the site and apply firm pressure for 30 minutes. If bleeding continues beyond a few hours or becomes heavy, contact your dentist immediately.