How much does wisdom tooth removal cost in the UK? (2026 price guide)
Removing a wisdom tooth privately in the UK usually costs from £65 for a simple case up to £595 – and more if it’s impacted and referred to an oral surgeon. Wisdom teeth are typically the priciest teeth to take out because they’re right at the back, often awkwardly angled or buried, and more likely to need surgery. What you pay comes down to how difficult yours is to remove.
Simple vs impacted – the main price driver
“Wisdom tooth removal” covers two quite different jobs, and the gap between them is where most of the price difference lives:
- Simple (erupted) removal – the tooth has come through the gum and can be loosened and lifted out like any back tooth. Often done by a general dentist, at the lower end of the range.
- Surgical (impacted) removal – the tooth is stuck under the gum or bone, or growing sideways, so the dentist makes a small incision and may section the tooth to remove it. More time, more skill, sometimes a referral – the top end or beyond.
Simple vs surgical, side by side
| Feature | Simple removal | Impacted / surgical |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Lower end | Top end or referral |
| Done by | Often a general dentist | Often an oral surgeon |
| Anaesthetic | Local | Local, sometimes with sedation |
| Time in the chair | Quick | Longer |
| Recovery | A few days | Around one to two weeks |
| Imaging | Standard X-ray | Sometimes a 3D CBCT scan |
What’s included – and what’s extra
A wisdom tooth quote should cover the removal itself, local anaesthetic, and your aftercare. On top of that, watch for the usual add-ons:
- Consultation and X-ray – most clinics charge for the first assessment; ask if it’s included.
- 3D CBCT scan – sometimes needed for impacted lower wisdom teeth (to map the nerve), and charged separately.
- Sedation – IV or inhalation sedation for anxious patients or complex removals is an extra.
- Referral to an oral surgeon – specialist fees are higher than a general dentist’s.
These are exactly why two “wisdom tooth” quotes can look so different – always ask for the fully itemised total.
Does where you live change the price?
Yes – London and big cities charge more, and specialist or referral clinics cost more than a general dentist. The cheapest city we track for extractions is Liverpool (from £65). Compare real prices near you:
| City | From | Typical | Clinics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £80 | £239 | 51 | Compare → |
| Manchester | £115 | £188 | 24 | Compare → |
| Birmingham | £89 | £150 | 23 | Compare → |
| Liverpool | £65 | £187.50 | 14 | Compare → |
| Bristol | £95 | £205 | 13 | Compare → |
| Glasgow | £65 | £119 | 12 | Compare → |
| Edinburgh | £85.74 | £150 | 11 | Compare → |
| Ipswich | £149 | £199 | 11 | Compare → |
| Leicester | £101.15 | £159 | 11 | Compare → |
| Cardiff | £67 | £150 | 9 | Compare → |
| Milton Keynes | £130 | £179 | 9 | Compare → |
| Norwich | £130 | £200 | 9 | Compare → |
| Nottingham | £86 | £137 | 9 | Compare → |
| Plymouth | £90 | £185 | 9 | Compare → |
| Cambridge | £150 | £185 | 8 | Compare → |
| Leeds | £120 | £150 | 8 | Compare → |
| Reading | £75 | £164.50 | 8 | Compare → |
| Southampton | £120 | £152.50 | 8 | Compare → |
| Derby | £110 | £173 | 7 | Compare → |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | £110 | £155 | 7 | Compare → |
| Swansea | £94.50 | £120 | 7 | Compare → |
| Wolverhampton | £110 | £180 | 7 | Compare → |
| Bournemouth | £105 | £235 | 6 | Compare → |
| Hull | £120 | £149 | 5 | Compare → |
| Sheffield | £200 | £220 | 5 | Compare → |
| Stoke-on-Trent | £120 | £150 | 5 | Compare → |
| Coventry | £86 | £155 | 4 | Compare → |
| Luton | £184 | £256.50 | 4 | Compare → |
| Oxford | £130 | £185 | 4 | Compare → |
| Portsmouth | £114.75 | £140 | 4 | Compare → |
Live data from TreatmentCosts - updated automatically as clinics change their prices.
NHS vs private wisdom tooth removal
On the NHS, wisdom tooth removal is a fixed band charge, and that single charge covers all extractions in the same course of treatment – so the NHS is usually cheaper. The catch is access and waiting times: the NHS generally only removes wisdom teeth when there’s a clear clinical reason (pain, infection, damage), in line with NICE guidance, and complex cases can mean a hospital referral and a wait. People go private mainly for speed, a choice of sedation, and more time with the dentist.
How to avoid overpaying
- Get the consultation and X-ray fee confirmed up front, and whether they come off the treatment cost.
- Ask if it’s a simple or surgical removal – it’s the single biggest price driver.
- Check whether sedation and any 3D scan are quoted separately.
- See if the NHS is an option first for the tooth in question – it’s usually cheaper if you qualify.
- Compare two or three clinics – the gap between cheapest and dearest we track is £530.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to remove one wisdom tooth privately?
A simple wisdom tooth removal sits in the lower-to-middle of the £65–£595 private range; an impacted one needing surgery or an oral surgeon is at the top end or beyond. Add the consultation and X-ray if they aren’t included.
How much to remove all four wisdom teeth?
It’s roughly the per-tooth price times how many are removed, though clinics often reduce the cost when several come out in one appointment. Impacted teeth and sedation add to the total – get an itemised quote.
Is wisdom tooth removal free on the NHS?
It’s a fixed NHS band charge (which covers all extractions in that course of treatment), and can be free if you qualify for help with dental costs. The NHS generally removes them only when there’s a clinical need.
Why are wisdom teeth more expensive to remove?
They’re at the very back, often impacted or awkwardly angled, and more likely to need a surgical approach, a 3D scan or an oral surgeon – all of which cost more than a straightforward extraction.
Ready to compare? See tooth extraction prices by clinic, read the full tooth extraction cost guide, or browse all UK clinics for transparent pricing near you.
