How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
Wisdom teeth are molars and usually develop in the late teenage years, ages 17-21, a time that was once referred to as the “age of wisdom”. However like most people, 85% of wisdom teeth eventually have to be removed. Hence why most people need to know the cost of wisdom teeth removal. Dental professionals like your General Dentist can perform this procedure, however, in certain cases wisdom teeth will need to be removed by an oral surgeon.
Fun Fact: 35% of people are born without wisdom teeth.
Why Extract Wisdom Teeth?
There are many reasons why wisdom teeth are removed, but overall dentists recommend removing them to better your overall oral health.
- Wisdom teeth break partway through your gums
- Your jaw may not be big enough
- You have impacted teeth
- Wisdom teeth grow in at an awkward angle
Risks of Wisdom Teeth Removal
Risks are minimal but some things to consider with wisdom teeth removal surgery include:
- Painful dry socket or exposure of the bone.
- Infection in the socket
- Damage to nearby teeth, nerves, jawbone or sinuses
- Permanent (rare) or temporary numbness in the mouth
Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost Without Insurance
You might be thinking, well what if I just remove the one wisdom tooth that is having a problem so I can save more money? In the short term this may seem like a good idea but dentists will recommend removing all wisdom teeth to prevent any complications down the road, which there could be many. In the end removing just one wisdom tooth can be close to $500!
So how much is it going to cost to get wisdom teeth removed? The answer, it depends on the complexity of the procedure. Factors such as age, condition of teeth, the angle of the tooth, and many other play into the overall cost of the procedure.
The average total cost of wisdom teeth removal without insurance ranges from:
| Initial Examination | $60 – $150 |
| Simple Extraction (all four teeth) | $75 – 250 /per tooth |
| Impacted Tooth Removal (all four teeth) | $200 – $600 /per tooth |
The average cost of wisdom teeth removal is expensive without insurance. This is especially true if you are paying out-of-pocket
Preparation before the surgery is pretty simple. You’ll first need to have an examination or you’ll be asked for an X-ray of the entire mouth or the area in which you are experiencing pane. After the examination details, the dentist will recommend local or general anesthesia. Many will opt to be put under to reduce pain and overall anxiety.
Package discounts are available. Oral surgeons may offer discounts for removing all four wisdom teeth at once. You can save $1,000 or more on wisdom teeth extractions.
Find a dentist that can remove wisdom teeth
How long does it take to remove Wisdom Teeth?
If the surgery involves removal of fully erupted wisdom teeth in the upper jaw, it should take around 35 minutes depending on the case. In the event of an impacted tooth, it takes longer because the bone is developing the tooth needs to be opened up first. Overall, this should procedure should be between 45 minutes to an hour.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Most dental insurance plans will cover up to 80% of the cost of the wisdom tooth surgery. However, each insurance provider is different and coverage amounts will vary.
Like most insurances they are only willing to pay to a certain amount. In this case, $1,500 is the typical cap for ALL dental care. So make sure to factor in your routine visits and you plan accordingly before agreeing to getting your wisdom teeth removed.
Two Others Ways to Save Money on Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Dental insurance isn’t the only way to pay for you dental procedures. Check out 2 affordable and easy ways to get your wisdom teeth removed without insurance.
1. Payment Plans
A payment plan is another way to save money on wisdom teeth removal if you do not have insurance. Some oral surgeons and general dentists may allow you to pay off a portion of the surgery over a few months. You would pay your dentist or surgeon directly instead of using insurance.
2. Discount Dental Plans
Discount dental plans are an excellent way to save money on wisdom teeth removal. There are several discount dental plans available. All of them have similar benefits:
- Members receive discounts on dental procedures all year long without paying for insurance each month
- You pay one low annual fee, rather than monthly
- You will have access to a network of dentists who offer reduced prices to discount dental plan members
- No approvals or application forms are required—you will take your ID card to the dentist to save on treatment
Dental Plans is a popular dental discount option that provides 20 to 50 percent savings on dental care costs. Unlike insurance, there is no annual spending limit on dental work. Patients pay one low yearly fee and can use their plan to save on treatments all year.
