Medically reviewed by Dr Mudasir Ur Rehman, GDC No. 196599 — Robinhood Dental Practice, Hall Green, Birmingham. Last updated: 23 September 2026
Quick Answer
- NHS (England): £76.60 — a single Band 2 charge that covers all your wisdom teeth if they're removed in the same course of treatment, whether it's one tooth or four.
- Private, simple (fully erupted): £150 – £350 per tooth
- Private, partially impacted: £250 – £450 per tooth
- Private, fully impacted / surgical: £350 – £600 per tooth (higher with a specialist oral surgeon, especially in London)
- All four privately (typical): £600 – £2,000+, since most private practices price per tooth, not per course
At Robinhood Dental Practice, wisdom tooth extractions are quoted individually after assessment — the complexity of your specific tooth is what determines the fee, not a flat rate.
Need a Wisdom Tooth Assessed? Book your £25 New Patient Examination and we'll take an X-ray, assess your wisdom tooth, and give you a clear, personalised quote before any treatment happens. 📞 Call 0121 744 1484 Book Online
NHS Wisdom Tooth Removal: One Course, One Charge
Wisdom tooth removal on the NHS falls under Band 2 (£76.60) in England. The detail that catches most people out — in a good way — is that this is a course of treatment charge, not a per-tooth charge.
If your dentist removes all four wisdom teeth in one planned course of treatment, you still pay £76.60 in total — not £76.60 x 4. This is one of the few genuine advantages the NHS has over private treatment for wisdom teeth, where most practices do charge per tooth.
For particularly complex cases — deeply impacted teeth close to a nerve, or ones needing general anaesthetic — your dentist may refer you to a hospital oral and maxillofacial surgery unit. Treatment there is typically free at the point of care under NHS referral, though waiting times can run longer than a routine extraction.
NHS Wisdom Tooth Costs Across the UK
Dentistry is devolved, so the other UK nations don't use England's band system:
| Nation | System | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| England | Band 2, fixed fee | £76.60 |
| Scotland | 80% of the treatment cost | Up to £384 (free check-ups for everyone) |
| Wales | Fixed fee per treatment (new contract, April 2026) | Up to £384 |
| Northern Ireland | 80% of the treatment cost | Up to £384 |
If you're in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, budget closer to the £384 cap rather than England's £76.60 — the systems aren't interchangeable.
Will the NHS Even Remove My Wisdom Tooth?
Only if there's a clinical reason to. NHS dentists in England follow long-standing NICE guidance (Technology Appraisal 1), which restricts wisdom tooth removal to cases with evidence of disease — it does not support removing a healthy, symptom-free wisdom tooth just because it's impacted or awkwardly positioned.
Under this guidance, removal is generally indicated for:
- Unrestorable tooth decay
- Infection that can't be treated any other way (abscess, cellulitis, osteomyelitis)
- A second or more severe episode of pericoronitis (gum infection around the tooth) — a single mild episode usually isn't enough on its own
- A cyst or other pathology affecting the tooth or its follicle
- Damage to the roots of the neighbouring tooth
- The tooth is in the way of other necessary surgery
If your wisdom tooth is impacted but pain-free and not causing any of the above, the NHS won't remove it as a preventive measure. That's a private-only procedure — which is exactly why so many people end up comparing private prices even when they're NHS patients for everything else.
Private Wisdom Tooth Removal: What You'll Actually Pay
Private practices almost always charge per tooth, and the fee depends heavily on how straightforward — or difficult — that specific tooth is.
| Extraction Type | What It Means | Typical Private Cost (per tooth) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple (fully erupted) | Tooth has fully come through, sits upright, removed with standard instruments | £150 – £350 |
| Partially impacted | Some of the tooth is still under the gum | £250 – £450 |
| Fully impacted / surgical | Tooth is buried under gum and bone, needs an incision and possibly sectioning | £350 – £600 |
| With a specialist oral surgeon | Complex cases referred to a maxillofacial specialist, common in London | £500 – £1,200+ |
Having all four removed? Because private fees are usually per tooth, four wisdom teeth commonly totals £600 to £2,000+, depending on how many of them are impacted. It's worth asking any practice you're considering whether they offer a reduced rate for multiple teeth removed in the same visit — some do, many don't.
What Actually Drives the Price
- Position and angle — a tooth growing sideways or pressing into the neighbouring molar needs more surgical work than one growing straight up.
- Upper vs lower — upper wisdom teeth generally sit in softer bone and are simpler (and cheaper) to remove than lower ones.
- Who's doing it — a general dentist typically charges less than a specialist oral surgeon, but complex or high-risk cases (close to a nerve, for example) are often safer in a specialist's hands.
- Sedation — IV sedation or gas typically adds £250 – £400 on top of the extraction fee. Local anaesthetic alone is usually included.
- X-rays — a panoramic X-ray to assess root position and proximity to nerves is sometimes bundled into the quote, sometimes charged separately (£12–£60).
- Location — London and the South East run noticeably higher than the rest of the UK, particularly for specialist oral surgery.
London Wisdom Tooth Removal: Why It Costs More
If you're searching for wisdom tooth removal cost in London specifically, expect a wider — and higher — range than the rest of the UK:
- General dentist, simple case: roughly £195 – £350
- General dentist, impacted case: roughly £350 – £550
- Specialist oral surgeon: roughly £495 – £1,200+, with some complex cases going higher still
London prices sit at the top end mainly because of higher practice overheads and a greater concentration of specialist oral surgeons, who charge more than general dentists but are often the recommended route for genuinely complex extractions.
Broken or Emergency Wisdom Tooth: What Changes
Two situations come up a lot and change the cost picture slightly:
A broken wisdom tooth (snapped at the gumline, often mid-decay) almost always needs a surgical extraction rather than a simple one, since there's no intact crown left to grip. Expect private costs at the surgical end — roughly £250–£600 — rather than the lower simple-extraction range. On the NHS it's still £76.60, as long as it's clinically necessary.
Emergency wisdom tooth removal (severe pain, swelling, or infection outside normal hours) costs more privately because you're paying for same-day or out-of-hours access, not because the extraction itself is different:
| Service | NHS | Private |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency/urgent consultation | £27.90 (Band 1) | £60 – £100 |
| Same-day wisdom tooth extraction | £76.60 (Band 2) | £150 – £400 |
| Out-of-hours / weekend emergency | Varies by area | £200 – £450 |
If you're in genuine pain right now, NHS 111 can direct you to same-day NHS emergency dental care, which is far cheaper than an out-of-hours private clinic if one is available in your area.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
| Extra | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Panoramic X-ray (if not bundled in) | £12 – £60 |
| Specialist consultation | £150 – £300 |
| IV / conscious sedation | £250 – £400 |
| Dry socket treatment (if needed) | £50 – £120 |
| Prescription medication | £25 – £30 |
| Follow-up visit | £60 – £80 |
| General anaesthetic (hospital route) | Separate anaesthetist and facility fees apply — get a specific quote if this is recommended |
Can't Afford It? NHS Help With Costs
If you're not automatically exempt but money is tight, fill out an HC1 form (from your dentist, Jobcentre Plus, or the NHS Business Services Authority):
- HC2 Certificate: you pay nothing for NHS dental treatment.
- HC3 Certificate: you pay a reduced, capped amount.
You'll generally qualify if your savings are under £16,000 and you're on a low income.
You may already qualify for free NHS dental care if you're:
- Under 18 (or 19 and in full-time education)
- Pregnant, or had a baby in the last 12 months
- On Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, or certain Universal Credit criteria
Remember: none of this changes whether the NHS considers your wisdom tooth removal clinically necessary in the first place — that's decided by the NICE criteria above, not by your financial situation.
FAQs
How much does it cost to remove one wisdom tooth?
On the NHS it's £76.60 (Band 2). Privately, one wisdom tooth typically costs £150–£600 depending on how impacted it is, plus any X-ray or sedation fees.
Is wisdom tooth removal free on the NHS?
It's free only if you fall into an exemption category — under 18 (or 19 in full-time education), pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months, or on qualifying benefits with an HC2 certificate. Otherwise it's £76.60 (Band 2) in England, and only if the NHS agrees it's clinically necessary in the first place.
What band is wisdom tooth removal on the NHS?
Band 2 (£76.60) for the great majority of cases, including most surgical extractions. Genuinely complex cases needing hospital-level oral surgery are usually referred out rather than charged under Band 3.
How much does it cost to remove 2 wisdom teeth?
On the NHS, still £76.60 in total if they're removed in the same course of treatment. Privately, expect to pay per tooth, so roughly £300–£1,200 for two, depending on complexity — ask if the practice offers any discount for treating both at once.
Is wisdom tooth removal covered if I'm on Universal Credit?
Being on Universal Credit doesn't automatically make treatment free — it depends on your earnings. If your Universal Credit includes the right criteria (broadly, earnings under the relevant threshold), you can apply for an HC2 or HC3 certificate via an HC1 form, which covers or reduces the £76.60 charge. Check current thresholds with the NHS Business Services Authority, as these are reviewed periodically.
How much does a broken wisdom tooth extraction cost?
Usually more than a straightforward one, since a broken tooth almost always needs a surgical extraction. Privately that's typically £250–£600. On the NHS it's still £76.60 if clinically necessary.
How much does emergency wisdom tooth removal cost?
NHS emergency treatment is £27.90 for urgent care. Privately, same-day or out-of-hours wisdom tooth extraction typically runs £150–£450, more than a routine appointment because you're paying for speed and access, not a different procedure.
How much does wisdom tooth removal cost in London?
More than the UK average — roughly £195–£550 with a general dentist, and £495–£1,200+ with a specialist oral surgeon, depending on complexity.
How much does wisdom tooth removal cost in Scotland?
Scotland doesn't use England's band system. You'll pay 80% of the treatment cost, capped at £384, unless you're exempt (check-ups themselves are free for everyone in Scotland).
Does sedation cost extra for wisdom tooth removal?
Yes. Sedation typically adds £250–£400 on top of the extraction fee. Local anaesthetic on its own is usually already included in the quoted price.
Is an X-ray included, or charged separately, before wisdom tooth removal?
It varies by practice. A panoramic X-ray to check root position and nerve proximity typically costs £12–£60 if charged separately. At Robinhood Dental Practice, X-rays are £10 and confirmed before any work begins.
Will the NHS remove my wisdom tooth if it's not causing problems?
Generally no. NICE guidance restricts NHS removal to teeth with a clinical problem — decay, infection, cysts, or damage to a neighbouring tooth. A healthy, symptom-free impacted wisdom tooth won't be removed preventively on the NHS.
The Bottom Line
If your wisdom tooth is causing genuine problems and you're eligible for NHS treatment, £76.60 is very hard to beat — and it covers every wisdom tooth removed in that course, not just one. If you're not eligible, can't get an NHS appointment in time, or your tooth isn't causing enough of a problem to qualify, private treatment gives you speed and choice, typically for £150–£600 per tooth depending on complexity.
The only way to know your actual cost is a proper assessment — X-rays tell a dentist far more about difficulty (and therefore price) than guesswork ever can.
If you're in the Birmingham area, our team at Robinhood Dental Practice will assess your wisdom tooth and give you an upfront, honest quote before anything happens. Book your consultation here or call 0121 744 1484.
