Tooth Extractions in Edinburgh
Whether it’s a tooth that can’t be saved or a wisdom tooth that’s been causing problems, we make the process as straightforward and comfortable as it can be.
OVERVIEW
Citrus Dental Care provides tooth extractions and wisdom teeth removal at 1 Meadow Place, Edinburgh EH9 1JZ, near The Meadows. Simple extractions are available from £120 privately. Surgical extractions for wisdom teeth are also available. Local anaesthetic is used throughout. NHS extractions are available where clinically necessary. The practice is open Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5:30pm and Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm.
What Is a Tooth Extraction?
It’s late on a Tuesday night near Summerhall and your wisdom tooth has been quietly building to something for the past week. The gum around it is swollen, opening your mouth fully is uncomfortable, and you know it’s time to stop hoping it’ll settle. Most people put off dealing with a troublesome tooth far longer than they should, usually because the idea of having it out feels worse than the tooth itself.
A tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. It is carried out under local anaesthetic, which means the area is fully numb before anything begins. A simple extraction involves loosening the tooth using specialist instruments and removing it in one piece. A surgical extraction, more commonly needed for impacted wisdom teeth that haven’t fully erupted, involves a small incision in the gum to access the tooth, which may be removed in sections. Both procedures are routine, both are carried out with local anaesthetic, and the vast majority of patients tell us the anticipation was worse than the appointment itself.
When Is an Extraction Necessary?
An extraction is recommended when a tooth cannot be saved by any other means. The most common reasons are advanced decay that has destroyed too much of the tooth structure for a filling or crown to restore it, severe gum disease that has led to significant bone loss around the tooth, a tooth that is cracked below the gumline, an impacted wisdom tooth causing infection or pain, or overcrowding where a tooth needs to be removed as part of an orthodontic treatment plan.
Where there is any possibility of saving a tooth, we will always explore that option first. Extraction is the last resort, not the first.
What Does the Process Look Like?
Your Tooth Extractions at Citrus covers more ground than you might expect.
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1Examination and X-raysBefore any extraction, we assess the tooth and surrounding bone carefully to understand its position and the best approach for removal.
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2Local anaestheticThe tooth and surrounding area are fully numbed before treatment begins. You will feel pressure and movement during the procedure but not pain.
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3Loosening the toothThe tooth is gently rocked using specialist instruments to widen the socket and release the ligaments holding it in place.
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4RemovalThe tooth is removed, either whole for a simple extraction, or in sections for a more complex surgical case.
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5Socket careGauze is placed over the socket and you'll be asked to bite down firmly to help the blood clot form properly.
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6Aftercare adviceYou'll leave with clear written instructions on looking after the socket, what to eat and avoid, and what to watch out for in the days following.
Antibiotics are prescribed where there is an active infection that needs to be managed alongside or following extraction.
How Much Does an Extraction Cost in Edinburgh?
Private tooth extractions at Citrus start from £120. The cost depends on the complexity of the case, a simple extraction of an erupted tooth is straightforward, while a surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth involves more time and technique and is priced accordingly. We’ll confirm the cost clearly before the appointment begins.
NHS patients are eligible for extractions under the NHS where clinically necessary, subject to the standard NHS band charge and the £384 per course maximum.
We See Patients From Across Edinburgh and Beyond
We see patients from across the Southside and central Edinburgh including Newington, Bruntsfield, Tollcross, Marchmont, Morningside, and Leith. If you’ve been putting off a troublesome tooth and you’re ready to deal with it properly, call us on 0131 285 3308 and we’ll get you in as soon as we can.
No sure where to begin? Just give us a ring.
Why Choose Citrus Dental for Your Extraction?
Accepting new NHS patients
That's genuinely rare in Edinburgh right now, and it means NHS patients can actually get registered and looked after properly rather than added to a waiting list.
We don't do unnecessary treatment
As one of our patients put it: "He always discusses any costs upfront and only does work on my teeth if it's essentially required. This is not a money-making practice." That's the standard we hold ourselves to.
We're good with nervous patients
If the word "check-up" already has your stomach turning, you're in good company. A significant part of what we do is helping people who've avoided the dentist for years to get back into the habit without dreading it.
We keep it consistent
Same team, same approach, every time. You'll be seen by someone who actually knows your dental history, not a stranger reading your notes for the first time.
REGISTRATION
Register With Citrus Dental Care
New to the area, returning after a while away, or just finally getting round to that appointment you’ve been putting off. You’re welcome here and registering is straightforward.
Here’s what you get when you join us:
- Free NHS check-ups for all registered patients
- Same-day emergency appointments when you need them
- A friendly, consistent team who gets to know you
- Membership plans from £22.50 a month
- 0% finance on private treatment through Tabeo
- Gentle, unhurried care at whatever pace suits you
NHS patients are very welcome. We’re currently accepting new NHS registrations alongside private patients, which we know isn’t something every Edinburgh practice can say right now.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Extraction
Not during the procedure. Local anaesthetic fully numbs the tooth and surrounding area before treatment begins. You'll feel pressure and movement as the tooth is loosened and removed, but not pain. Some soreness and mild swelling in the days following is normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
A simple extraction typically takes 20 to 40 minutes from the time the anaesthetic is administered. A surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth takes longer, usually 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the position of the tooth and the complexity of the case.
Bite down firmly on the gauze placed over the socket for at least 30 to 45 minutes after the procedure. Avoid rinsing, spitting, hot drinks, alcohol, and smoking for at least 24 hours. Eat soft foods and avoid chewing on the side of the extraction. Gentle warm salt water rinses from the following day help keep the socket clean. We'll give you a full written aftercare guide before you leave.
Dry socket occurs when the blood clot that forms in the socket after extraction is dislodged or dissolves before the socket has healed, exposing the underlying bone. It causes a distinctive deep aching pain, usually starting two to three days after extraction. Avoid smoking, drinking through straws, and vigorous rinsing in the first 24 to 48 hours, all of which increase the risk. If you think you might have dry socket, call us and we'll see you promptly.
Recurrent infection around a partially erupted wisdom tooth, a condition called pericoronitis, is one of the most common reasons for wisdom tooth removal. If you've had two or more infections in the same tooth, extraction is usually the most sensible long-term solution. Each episode of infection can affect the adjacent teeth and surrounding bone, so resolving it once rather than managing it repeatedly is worth doing.
That depends on which tooth was removed and where it sits in your mouth. For back teeth, the gap may not be visible and many patients are happy to leave it. For more visible teeth, or where the gap would affect your bite or cause adjacent teeth to drift over time, a dental implant, bridge, or denture can be used to fill it. We'll discuss the options with you at the time.
