At Heath Street Dental, we always aim to preserve your natural teeth wherever possible. When extraction is necessary, we take a careful and conservative approach, keeping your comfort and long-term oral health in mind.
Conservative Treatment When Possible
At Heath Street Dental, we aim to preserve your teeth wherever possible, and we focus on conservative treatment. We only ever carry out a tooth extraction as a last resort. For example, if your tooth has suffered significant damage, conservative procedures such as a filling, root canal treatment or crown may not be successful.
Orthodontic practice may involve tooth extraction. Extracting selected teeth allows the Orthodontist to have sufficient space to move teeth into the desired position. The braces will then close the gaps and the bite will be corrected as part of the treatment to avoid any impact from lost teeth. However, even with orthodontics, tooth extraction is only suggested when it is necessary to achieve the required results. Your Orthodontist will always give you all the options available for your treatment.
At our practice, when we carry out the tooth extraction procedure, we first use a local anaesthetic. This numbs the area of the mouth where the extraction will take place. After the area has been anaesthetised, your dentist can remove the tooth in a comfortable manner.
In normal circumstances it should take more than 30 minutes to extract a tooth but this can vary. In more complex cases, your dentist may need to extract surgically or refer you to an oral surgeon. An example of a more complex case is advanced tooth decay or impacted wisdom teeth.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth and Replacement Options
Wisdom teeth grow at the back of the gums and are usually the last teeth to come through. By the time the wisdom teeth grow through the gums, the other 28 teeth are usually in place. This means there is often insufficient space in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to erupt properly.
As a result of the lack of space, the wisdom teeth sometimes emerge at an angle. They can even get stuck or only partially emerge, known as ‘impacted’. However, your wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed, even if incorrectly erupted. Your dentist will typically suggest removing impacted wisdom teeth only when there is pain or other problems.
If you do have tooth removal, then there are a number of replacement options available. These include Dentures and Implants. Dentures are removable replacement teeth. Implants are artificial tooth roots and are becoming very popular as they are the closest replacement to the original tooth root. After a tooth extraction, your dentist will give you all the replacement options available. In cases such as wisdom teeth removal, they often suggest not to replace the teeth as they are non-functional and not noticeable.
Why Choose Us
We understand that the thought of having a tooth removed can feel worrying. Our approach is focused on careful treatment, clear communication and your comfort, ensuring you understand your options at every stage of your care.
We always aim to preserve your natural teeth wherever possible and only recommend extraction when it is genuinely necessary.
We use local anaesthetic to numb the treatment area and take care to make your extraction as comfortable as possible.
Our dental team provides careful treatment for straightforward extractions as well as more complex cases requiring additional care.
We explain the available treatment options clearly, helping you understand what is involved before deciding on the right approach for your dental health.
Every patient is different, so we consider your individual circumstances and oral health when planning your treatment.
When a tooth needs to be removed, we can discuss suitable replacement options such as dentures and dental implants where appropriate.
Need To Know
If you have questions about tooth extraction, our frequently asked questions provide helpful information about the treatment, wisdom teeth and your available options.
A tooth extraction is generally considered when a tooth cannot be successfully treated or preserved with options such as a filling, root canal treatment or crown. At Heath Street Dental, we always aim to preserve your natural teeth wherever possible and recommend extraction only when necessary.
A local anaesthetic is used before the extraction to numb the area where treatment will take place. Once the area is anaesthetised, your dentist can remove the tooth in a comfortable manner.
In normal circumstances, it should take no more than 30 minutes to extract a tooth, although this can vary depending on the individual case. More complex extractions may take longer or require surgical extraction or referral to an oral surgeon.
Wisdom teeth are often removed when there is insufficient space for them to erupt properly. They may emerge at an angle, become stuck or only partially emerge. Your dentist will generally recommend removal when an impacted wisdom tooth is causing pain or other problems.
No. Wisdom teeth do not always need to be removed simply because they have erupted incorrectly. Your dentist will assess your individual situation and may recommend removal when there is pain or another dental problem.
Your dentist will first use a local anaesthetic to numb the treatment area. Once the area has been fully anaesthetised, the tooth can be carefully removed. In more complex cases, surgical extraction or referral to an oral surgeon may be required.
Depending on your individual circumstances, replacement options may include dentures or dental implants. Your dentist will discuss the available options with you and help determine whether replacing the tooth is appropriate.
Not usually. In cases such as wisdom tooth removal, your dentist may suggest that replacement is unnecessary because wisdom teeth are generally non-functional and not noticeable. Your dentist will discuss your options with you after the extraction.
Get comfortable, personalised dental care from our experienced team. Book your appointment today to discuss your tooth extraction and the treatment options available to you.
Patient Stories
We’re proud to care for patients across Hampstead and beyond. Here’s what they have to say about their experience at our dental practice.
From the moment I walked in, the team made me feel comfortable and at ease. The dental examination was thorough and reassuring.
Friendly staff, flexible appointment times, and a very professional dentist. I finally feel confident about my dental health.
The practice is clean, modern, and welcoming. Everything was explained clearly, and I never felt rushed.
I’m usually nervous about dental visits, but the team was incredibly kind and patient. Highly recommended.
Your dental health is important to us.Whether you need advice, an appointment, or emergency care,our dedicated team is always ready to help with compassion and expertise.Expect a response from us within 24 hours — because your smile deserves timely care and attention.
4.9 out of 5 Stars From 47 Reviews
Providing trusted dental care for families and individuals — because every smile matters to us always, with comfort and compassion.
Copyright © 2017 – 2026 All Rights Reserved. Heath Street Dental, 116 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 1DR, Hampstead Dentist
