Mr Darryl M Coombes
Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
GMC 4745266 (Specialist Register, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)
Oral surgery · Wisdom teeth
Wisdom tooth removal in Tunbridge Wells
Removal of problem wisdom teeth by consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon Mr Darryl Coombes, qualified in both dentistry and medicine. Carried out here at Vale, under local anaesthetic, and you go home the same day.
Consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon · Local anaesthetic only · CQC-registered for surgery
- LocalAnaesthetic, you stay awake
- Same dayHome after your procedure
- ConsultantOral and maxillofacial surgeon
- About 1 weekFor most swelling to settle
Wisdom teeth
When a wisdom tooth causes problems
Wisdom teeth are the last teeth to come through, usually in the late teens or twenties. Often there isn’t enough room for them, so they come through at an angle or only partly, or stay trapped (impacted) in the jaw.
Many wisdom teeth never cause any trouble and are best left alone. But a wisdom tooth that keeps getting infected, decays, or damages the tooth next to it may need to come out.
Call 01892 543029The procedure
What does removal involve?
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic, so you’re awake but shouldn’t feel pain, only pressure. A tooth that has come through may be removed in one piece. An impacted tooth may need a small cut in the gum, and sometimes the tooth is divided into pieces so it can be removed gently. The gum is then closed with dissolving stitches.
At Vale, wisdom teeth are removed by Mr Coombes, a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty that covers surgery of the mouth and jaws.
Local anaesthetic only. We don’t offer sedation or general anaesthetic at Vale. If you’re very anxious, or your teeth need a general anaesthetic, we’ll tell you and you can be referred elsewhere.
Common reasons
Why a wisdom tooth may need to come out
Repeated gum infections
Painful swelling of the gum around a partly erupted tooth (pericoronitis) that keeps coming back.
Decay
Decay in the wisdom tooth, or in the tooth next to it, that can’t be treated.
Damage to other teeth
A wisdom tooth pressing on the next tooth and damaging its root.
Cysts or other problems
Less commonly, a cyst or other change around the tooth seen on an X-ray.
Is this right for you?Call us to book an assessment with Mr Coombes and find out whether your wisdom tooth needs to come out.
Your journey
What happens
- 01
Assessment
Mr Coombes examines your mouth and takes an X-ray of the tooth here at Vale, explains whether it needs to come out, and goes through the risks.
- 02
Your procedure
The area is numbed with local anaesthetic and the tooth removed. Most procedures take well under an hour.
- 03
Aftercare
You go home the same day with written aftercare advice. Swelling and discomfort are usually worst for the first two or three days.
- 04
Follow-up
We check how the area is healing and answer any questions.
Aftercare
The first few days
- Bleeding: some oozing is normal for the first day. Bite firmly on a clean gauze pad for 20 to 30 minutes if it continues.
- Rest: take it easy for the rest of the day and sleep with your head slightly raised for the first night.
- Eating: stick to soft food and avoid very hot drinks until the numbness wears off.
- Rinsing: don’t rinse on the first day. From the next day, rinse gently with warm salty water after meals.
- Smoking: avoid smoking for as long as possible, as it raises the risk of dry socket.
When to get help
Contact us promptly
Contact us, or your dentist, if pain gets worse after three or four days, there’s an unpleasant taste or smell, swelling keeps increasing, or you develop a fever. Go to A&E if you have heavy bleeding that won’t stop with pressure, or swelling that makes it difficult to swallow or breathe.
Your clinician
Your surgeon
Mr Darryl Coombes is a consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeon, qualified in both dentistry and medicine. Removing wisdom teeth is a routine part of his specialty.
You’ll see Mr Coombes for your assessment, your procedure and your follow-up.
Registered and regulated
Other procedures
See all pricesMore surgery with Mr Coombes
Your questions
Wisdom teeth questions answered
Does my wisdom tooth need to come out?
Not always. UK guidance advises against removing wisdom teeth that aren’t causing problems. Removal is usually recommended when a tooth keeps getting infected, decays, damages the next tooth or has a cyst around it. Mr Coombes will give you an honest opinion.
Will it hurt?
The local anaesthetic numbs the area, so you should feel pressure but not pain during the procedure. Afterwards it’s normal to be sore for a few days, and we’ll advise you on painkillers.
What are the risks?
Pain, swelling, bruising and jaw stiffness are common for a few days. Less common risks include bleeding, infection and dry socket, a painful condition where the blood clot in the socket is lost. Lower wisdom teeth sit close to nerves, so there’s a small risk of numbness or tingling in the lip, chin or tongue. This is usually temporary but can occasionally be permanent. Mr Coombes will explain your individual risk, based on your X-ray.
How long is the recovery?
Swelling usually peaks after two or three days and settles over about a week. Most people take a day or two off work. Soft food, gentle salt-water rinses from the next day and avoiding smoking all help healing.
Do I need an X-ray?
Yes. An X-ray shows the position of the tooth and how close it is to the nerves. We take the X-ray here at Vale, as part of your assessment.
Can I have sedation or a general anaesthetic?
No. At Vale, wisdom teeth are removed under local anaesthetic only. If you need sedation or a general anaesthetic, we’ll explain your options for referral.
Got another question?Ask us at your consultation. You don’t have to go ahead.
Get started
Book an assessment with Mr Coombes
Call us to book an assessment with Mr Coombes and find out whether your wisdom tooth needs to come out.
- Consultation
- £250
- Wisdom tooth removal
- Price given at your consultation
- Anaesthetic
- Local only
- Call01892 543029
- Emailinfo@valehealthclinic.co.uk
- ClinicVale Health Clinic, 31–33 Vale Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1BS
Treatment is only offered after assessment. Recovery varies from person to person. Written by Mr Darryl Coombes, Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon (GMC 4745266). Last updated 15 October 2026.