Tooth Extraction Cost UK 2026: NHS Band 2, Private Prices & What to Expect
Tooth Extraction Cost UK 2026: NHS Band 2, Private Prices & What to Expect
Quick answer
An NHS tooth extraction in England costs £76.60 (Band 2) for a simple extraction, or £27.90 (Band 1) if it is an emergency-only extraction for pain relief. Private simple extractions cost £150–£300; surgical extractions (for impacted teeth, sectioned roots or difficult cases) cost £250–£600. Wisdom tooth surgical extraction costs £300–£700 privately. The procedure takes 5–30 minutes depending on complexity.
Key takeaways
- NHS simple tooth extraction: Band 2 (£76.60) in England and Wales; free in Scotland.
- Private simple extraction: £150–£300 in most UK cities; London £200–£400.
- Private surgical extraction: £250–£600 outside London; £400–£800 in London.
- Wisdom tooth removal (surgical, NHS hospital): free via referral.
- The Band 2 fee covers all extractions needed in one course of treatment — not per tooth.
A tooth extraction is one of the most common dental procedures in the UK. Whether you are facing a routine removal of a troublesome tooth or a complex surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth, understanding the costs in advance helps you plan and avoid surprises.
- NHS (Band 2): £76.60 — simple and surgical extractions in England and Wales
- NHS emergency extraction only (Band 1): £27.90
- Scotland: Free for all registered NHS patients
- Private simple extraction: £150–£300 (UK average)
- Private surgical extraction: £250–£600 (UK average)
- Private wisdom tooth removal: £300–£700
- London prices: approximately 30–50% higher
NHS tooth extraction costs 2026
On the NHS in England and Wales, tooth extractions are covered by Band 2 (£76.60). This covers:
- The consultation and examination
- X-rays (if required to assess the tooth)
- Local anaesthetic
- The extraction itself (simple or surgical)
- All extractions needed within a single course of treatment
Band 2 also covers any fillings, root canals or other Band 2 treatments needed in the same course of care. You pay one charge regardless of how many procedures are required.
NHS tooth extraction costs by UK nation
| Nation | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| England | £76.60 (Band 2) | Per course of treatment, not per tooth |
| Wales | £76.60 (Band 2) | Same band system as England |
| Scotland | Free | Free for all registered NHS patients |
| Northern Ireland | ~£18–£42 | Item-of-service fees; exam + extraction |
Private tooth extraction costs 2026
| Type | UK average | London |
|---|---|---|
| Simple extraction (single root, accessible) | £150–£300 | £200–£400 |
| Surgical extraction (impacted, multi-root, broken) | £250–£600 | £400–£800 |
| Wisdom tooth (erupted, simple) | £200–£400 | £250–£500 |
| Wisdom tooth (impacted, surgical) | £300–£700 | £450–£900 |
| Root tip removal (root remains after fracture) | £200–£500 | £300–£700 |
| Under IV sedation (add-on) | +£300–£600 | +£400–£700 |
What makes an extraction surgical vs simple?
A simple extraction is used when the tooth is fully erupted (above the gum line), has a single straight root, and can be removed in one piece with forceps. Most straightforward tooth removals are simple extractions.
A surgical extraction is required when:
- The tooth is impacted (partially or fully under the gum or bone) — most common with wisdom teeth
- The root is broken, curved, or unusually long
- The crown of the tooth is severely broken down and cannot be gripped with forceps
- The tooth needs to be sectioned (cut into pieces) for safe removal
What to expect during an extraction
- X-ray — to assess root shape and nearby structures
- Local anaesthetic — numbs the area completely; you should feel pressure but not pain
- Loosening — the dentist uses an elevator to loosen the tooth from the ligament
- Removal — with forceps (simple) or surgical instruments
- Clot formation — you bite on gauze for 20–30 minutes
- Instructions — on aftercare, diet, and warning signs
Recovery after a tooth extraction
Most people experience some soreness and mild swelling for 2–5 days. Full healing of the socket takes 3–6 weeks for a simple extraction and 6–12 weeks for a surgical extraction. To aid recovery:
- Avoid smoking for at least 48 hours (ideally 72 hours) — it significantly increases the risk of dry socket
- Eat soft foods for the first 24–48 hours
- Do not rinse vigorously for the first 24 hours (disrupts the blood clot)
- After 24 hours, rinse gently with warm salt water (1 tsp salt in a glass of water) three times daily
- Take over-the-counter painkillers (ibuprofen + paracetamol alternated) as directed
Alternatives to tooth extraction
Before agreeing to an extraction, discuss whether any of these options are viable:
- Root canal treatment: Saves the tooth by removing infected pulp. Band 2 on the NHS (£76.60) or £400–£900 privately. See our root canal cost guide.
- Crown: A broken but salvageable tooth may be restored with a crown — Band 3 on NHS (£332.10) or £700–£1,500 privately.
- Repair: A fractured tooth may be repaired with composite bonding — Band 2 (£76.60) NHS or £200–£500 private.
After extraction, the gap left will cause surrounding teeth to drift over time. Options to replace an extracted tooth include a dental implant, dental bridge, or partial denture.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a tooth extraction cost on the NHS?
An NHS tooth extraction in England and Wales is covered by Band 2 — £76.60. This one charge covers the consultation, X-rays (if needed), and as many extractions as required in a single course of treatment. If the extraction is an emergency-only procedure (pain relief) and no further treatment follows, it falls under Band 1 (£27.90). In Scotland, all NHS dental treatment is free.
How much does a private tooth extraction cost in the UK?
Private simple tooth extraction typically costs £150–£300 in most UK cities, or £200–£400 in London. Surgical extraction (for impacted, broken or difficult teeth) costs £250–£600 outside London and £400–£800 in London. These prices usually include a local anaesthetic and post-operative instructions but may not include X-rays, which can add £20–£70.
How much does wisdom tooth extraction cost in the UK?
A private wisdom tooth extraction costs £200–£400 for a simple erupted wisdom tooth and £300–£700 for a surgical removal of an impacted wisdom tooth. On the NHS, wisdom tooth extractions are covered by Band 2 (£76.60) at a dental practice. For complex impacted cases requiring a specialist oral surgeon, your NHS dentist can refer you to a hospital dental department where the procedure is free.
Does the NHS Band 2 charge cover multiple extractions?
Yes. Band 2 (£76.60) covers all extractions needed within a single course of treatment, not just one tooth. If you need four teeth extracted over two appointments, you still pay only £76.60 total (plus any other Band 1 or 2 treatment in the same course). This makes the NHS exceptional value for multiple extractions.
How long does a tooth extraction take?
A simple extraction (a tooth with a complete root that is accessible) takes 5–15 minutes after the anaesthetic takes effect. A surgical extraction (for impacted teeth, broken roots, or teeth with curved roots) takes 20–60 minutes. Most patients feel some soreness for 2–5 days afterwards; normal healing takes 1–3 weeks.
What is a surgical tooth extraction?
A surgical extraction is needed when a tooth cannot be removed in one piece or is not fully erupted. The dentist or oral surgeon makes an incision in the gum, may remove a small amount of bone, and often sections the tooth to remove it in pieces. Impacted wisdom teeth, teeth with multiple curved roots, and broken-off root tips typically require surgical extraction.
Is tooth extraction more expensive under general anaesthetic?
Yes. Most tooth extractions in the UK are done under local anaesthetic (a numb injection). If you need general anaesthetic — usually for complex cases, severe dental phobia, or multiple extractions at once — this is typically carried out as a day-case procedure at a hospital. Under the NHS (via referral) this is free. Private dental sedation costs £300–£600 and general anaesthetic costs £800–£2,000+ depending on the facility.