When a tooth is at risk from gum disease, infection or damage, the fundamental question is whether to save it or remove it. Gum treatment aims to preserve your natural tooth by treating the disease around it. Extraction removes the tooth entirely. The right approach depends on the severity of the condition and the amount of supporting bone that remains.
Gum Treatment From
£850
Extraction From
£250
Exam
£30
If you have been told that a tooth is at risk — whether from gum disease, infection or damage — the question of whether to save it or remove it can feel overwhelming. Gum treatment aims to preserve your natural tooth by eliminating the disease around it. Tooth extraction removes the problem permanently — but the tooth is gone for good.
Both approaches have an important place in dentistry. Where possible, preserving a natural tooth is almost always preferable — nothing looks, feels or functions quite like the real thing. But when a tooth is too severely damaged, decayed or has lost too much supporting bone, extraction may be the safest and most predictable option. Both are part of our comprehensive restorative dentistry and general dentistry services.
Not sure which you need? Book a consultation or call us on 020 7183 0527 — your dentist will examine the tooth, take X-rays and explain your options clearly before any treatment begins.
At a Glance
Gum treatment vs tooth extraction — side by side.
| Feature | Gum Treatment · From £850 | Extraction · From £250 |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Goal | Save the natural tooth by treating the gum disease around it | Remove a tooth that is too damaged, decayed or infected to save |
| Procedure Type | Non-surgical — deep cleaning (root surface debridement) and antimicrobial therapy | Surgical or non-surgical — tooth loosened and removed under local anaesthetic |
| Treatment Time | Multiple appointments over several weeks; ongoing maintenance every 3–6 months | Single appointment — 15–60 minutes depending on complexity |
| Preservation of Natural Tooth | Yes — the goal is to keep the natural tooth in place | No — the tooth is permanently removed |
| Impact on Oral Health | Halts bone loss, preserves jawbone, protects surrounding teeth | Removes the problem but leaves a gap — bone loss begins at the extraction site |
| Cost at Our Clinic | From £850 (periodontal treatment); hygiene from £89 | Simple from £250 · Complicated from £450 · Surgical from £650 |
| Longevity | Natural tooth preserved for years or decades with ongoing maintenance | Permanent removal — replacement (implant, bridge or denture) needed to restore function |
| Suitability | Mild to moderate gum disease; teeth with adequate bone support remaining | Severe decay, advanced infection, fractured roots, teeth beyond repair |
Treatment recommendations depend on individual clinical assessment. All prices confirmed before treatment begins.
Saving Natural Teeth
Gum treatment — also called periodontal treatment — is a non-surgical procedure designed to treat gum disease and save teeth that are at risk of being lost. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and it works silently: bacteria in plaque and tartar build up below the gum line, causing inflammation, gum recession and — if untreated — destruction of the bone that supports the teeth.
At Dental Clinic London, periodontal treatment starts from £850. The treatment involves deep cleaning of the root surfaces (root surface debridement) using ultrasonic and hand instruments, combined with antimicrobial therapy to eliminate bacterial infection. This allows the gums to heal, reduce in pocket depth and reattach to the tooth. Regular hygiene maintenance appointments (from £89) every 3–6 months are essential to prevent recurrence.
When caught early enough — while adequate bone support remains — gum treatment can preserve natural teeth for years or even decades. The goal is always to save teeth wherever possible, because nothing functions, feels or looks quite like a natural tooth.
Removing the Problem
Tooth extraction is the removal of a tooth that is too severely damaged, decayed or infected to be saved. It is performed under local anaesthetic — you feel pressure but no pain — and most simple extractions take just 15–30 minutes. For more complex cases, such as teeth broken below the gum line or impacted wisdom teeth, a surgical extraction may be needed.
At Dental Clinic London, a simple extraction starts from £250, a complicated extraction from £450 and a surgical extraction from £650. Emergency extractions are available 7 days a week for patients in acute pain. A new patient examination is just £30 and includes a full assessment before any treatment decisions are made.
Most patients recover within 5–7 days, with the extraction site healing fully in 1–2 weeks. Once healed, your dentist will discuss replacement options — dental implants (from £2,950), bridges (from £995 per unit) or dentures (from £795) — to restore function and prevent the consequences of leaving a gap.
Understanding the Difference
This is the most fundamental difference. Gum treatment aims to save the natural tooth by eliminating the disease around it — preserving its root, its connection to the jawbone and its natural function. Extraction removes the tooth permanently. A natural tooth is always preferable to any replacement: it has a natural feel, full sensation, and its root keeps the surrounding bone healthy. Once a tooth is extracted, you will need an implant, bridge or denture to fill the gap — each of which has its own cost, treatment time and maintenance requirements.
When gum disease is treated successfully, the surrounding bone is preserved and neighbouring teeth are protected. When a tooth is extracted, the jawbone at that site begins to shrink (resorb) because there is no longer a root to stimulate it. Over time, adjacent teeth can drift into the gap, the opposing tooth can over-erupt and your bite alignment can change. These secondary effects can lead to further dental problems — which is why tooth replacement after extraction is strongly recommended.
A successfully treated natural tooth — supported by ongoing hygiene maintenance every 3–6 months — can last for many years or decades. The outcome depends on the severity of the original disease, the patient's oral hygiene and commitment to regular maintenance. An extracted tooth is gone permanently. Its replacement has its own lifespan: a dental implant can last 25+ years (with the crown lasting 15–25 years), a bridge typically lasts 10–15 years and dentures 5–10 years. Each replacement will eventually need updating.
Periodontal treatment starts from £850, with ongoing hygiene appointments from £89 every 3–6 months. A simple extraction starts from just £250 — significantly less upfront. However, extraction almost always requires a replacement: a dental implant (from £2,950), bridge (from £995 per unit) or denture (from £795). When the full cost of extraction plus replacement is considered, preserving a natural tooth through gum treatment is often the more cost-effective option over a lifetime.
Gum treatment is most effective for mild to moderate gum disease — where the infection can be cleared and enough bone support remains for the tooth to be stabilised. For advanced periodontitis with severe bone loss, or for teeth with extensive decay, fractured roots or unresolvable infections, extraction is usually the safer, more predictable option. Your dentist will assess each tooth individually using clinical examination and X-rays to determine whether saving or removing is the better approach.
Weighing Up
Advantages
Limitations
Advantages
Limitations
Transparent Pricing
Prices at Dental Clinic London. View our complete fee guide for all treatment pricing.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| New Patient ExaminationFull assessment, X-rays & treatment plan | £30 |
| Periodontal (Gum) TreatmentDeep cleaning, root surface debridement & antimicrobial therapy | From £850 |
| Dental Hygiene (Scale & Polish)Maintenance appointment — every 3–6 months | £89 |
| Dental Hygiene with AirflowAdvanced biofilm removal — deeper clean | £142 |
| Simple ExtractionFully erupted tooth — 15–30 minutes | From £250 |
| Complicated ExtractionMulti-rooted, broken or difficult teeth — 30–45 minutes | From £450 |
| Surgical ExtractionImpacted or complex cases — 45–60 minutes | From £650 |
| Dental Implant (Single, inc. Crown)Replacement after extraction — titanium root & porcelain crown | From £2,950 |
| Dental Bridge (per unit)Fixed replacement — supported by adjacent teeth | From £995 |
| Denture (Acrylic Partial)Removable replacement — most affordable option | From £795 |
All costs confirmed before treatment begins. 0% finance available on selected treatments, subject to status.
Making Your Decision
The right approach depends on the condition of the tooth, the amount of supporting bone remaining and the severity of the infection or damage. Here is a general guide — your dentist will confirm the best approach following examination.
If your tooth still has adequate bone support and the gum disease is mild to moderate, periodontal treatment is the best option. It eliminates the infection, allows the gums to heal and preserves the natural tooth — avoiding the cost and complexity of extraction and replacement. With ongoing hygiene maintenance every 3–6 months, a successfully treated tooth can last for many years.
When a tooth is too severely decayed, fractured below the gum line, or has lost so much bone that it is loose and cannot be stabilised, extraction is the safest option. It removes the source of pain and infection definitively and makes way for a replacement that will function reliably. Your dentist will always explore alternatives before recommending extraction.
Preserving a natural tooth is almost always the best option for long-term oral health. A natural root keeps the jawbone stimulated, prevents adjacent teeth from drifting and maintains your natural bite alignment. Gum treatment halts bone loss and protects the surrounding teeth. If the tooth cannot be saved, a dental implant (from £2,950) is the next best option — it replaces the root and preserves bone.
A simple extraction (from £250) is less expensive upfront than periodontal treatment (from £850). However, extraction almost always requires a replacement — a dental implant (from £2,950), bridge (from £995 per unit) or denture (from £795). When the total cost of extraction plus replacement is considered, saving a natural tooth with gum treatment and regular hygiene maintenance (from £89) is often the more cost-effective choice over your lifetime.
Contact our team to discuss your options — we are here to help you make the right decision for your oral health.
Common Questions
Book a new patient examination at Dental Clinic London for just £30. Your dentist will assess the tooth, take X-rays and explain whether gum treatment, extraction or another approach is most appropriate for your situation. No pressure, no obligation.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised dental advice. Individual diagnosis and treatment recommendations require a clinical examination by a qualified dental professional. All treatment outcomes vary by patient. Prices shown are starting prices and may vary depending on complexity. Dental Clinic London is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the General Dental Council (GDC).