How much is a surgical wisdom tooth extraction

How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Extraction Cost?

For the sake of providing a range of possible wisdom teeth extractions in maple grove costs we’ll break down the extraction into four categories. Prior to establishing the condition of the wisdom tooth we’ll look at the evolution of the wisdom tooth and the conditions and symptoms contributing to the likelihood of you experiencing the extraction of a wisdom tooth.

The Evolution of the Wisdom Tooth

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 years ago the human skull and jaws had room comfortably for 32 teeth. This included a third set of molars called wisdom teeth. Over the centuries as diets changed and the brain grew in size the jaw grew smaller. Today many humans only have room for 28 teeth. In fact, it is suggested that 35% of the world’s population will never see wisdom teeth. A larger percentage of those that do grow wisdom teeth will see those teeth as remaining impacted in which they never erupt. Most wisdom teeth are erupting between the ages of 17 and 25.

The Symptoms of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

If the wisdom teeth do not erupt, they can cause a number of issues with the arch. They can crowd and push the neighboring molars resulting poor alignment and damage to the adjacent teeth, the jawbone and the nerves in the jaw. You might experience swelling and infection if the impacted wisdom tooth is left untreated.

The Wisdom Tooth Extraction

First and foremost, the dentist will start with a set of x-rays. These will identify impacted wisdom teeth or partially erupted wisdom teeth. From this point forward depending on the condition and placement costs may vary. To demonstrate that variance our range is starting at $200 for an easier extraction up to $1,200 for a difficult impacted wisdom tooth. Here are our four different types of wisdom tooth extraction.

• A fully erupted wisdom tooth- An average extraction will run about $300 with a range from $200 to $700. The tooth is fully erupted, easy to reach and the procedure will only last about 20 minutes. This limits the amount of anesthesia necessary and the length of time in the dental chair.
• An impacted wisdom tooth just under the surface- The range for this extraction is $250 to $850 and averages about $350. Anesthesia is necessary as is a small incision to access the tooth. The x-rays show that the tooth limited in bony growth and easily extracted with the possibility of sutures to close the incision.
• A partially bony, impacted wisdom tooth- With an average of $450 and a range of $300 to $950 this is when the x-ray shows the tooth has more structure resulting in more anesthesia and more effort throughout the procedure to extract the tooth. Not only is there the incision in the gums to access the tooth but also in the tooth itself.
• A fully bony impacted wisdom tooth- The worst-case scenario of possibly roots or the tooth extending into the jawbone. With an average of $550 and the range from $340 to $1,200, this procedure will necessitate sedation, more time and a more difficult process to extract.

More information on Wisdom Teeth & Extraction : Smoking After Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Table of Contents

1. Removal Costs
2. Payment
3. Wisdom Teeth Removal
4. Is It Worth the Investment?
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. References

Cost can be one of the biggest barriers to getting your wisdom teeth removed.

With insurance, wisdom tooth removal costs an average of $641 per tooth. If you need all four wisdom teeth removed, this comes to $2,564.

Without insurance, the cost of wisdom tooth removal ranges from $720 to $4,000.

If it’s deemed medically necessary, your dental insurance may cover a chunk of the bill, though you’ll still likely have some out-of-pocket costs. Insurance may not cover the cost of the anesthesia, while the cost of the rest of the surgery is usually covered.

Without insurance, you will need to pay for the whole thing out of pocket. Many oral surgeons offer payment plans that make it possible for customers to pay the bill over time.

The cost of wisdom tooth removal.

The basic cost of wisdom tooth removal varies according to the complexity of the procedure. This is often determined by whether the tooth is impacted or if it has fully erupted already.

Other factors that affect the cost include the level of anesthesia needed, the skill level of your maxillofacial surgeon, and the cost of living in your area.

These are typical costs associated with the procedure:

• There is a baseline cost of at least $75 per tooth extracted, so about $300.
• There is an additional cost of up to $200 per tooth, if you need more anesthesia, so you could spend as much as $800.
• Nitrous oxide costs about $40 to $90.
• Impacted wisdom teeth cost about $225 to $600 per tooth to remove.
• Prices vary according to geographical area. Expect higher costs in places with higher costs of living. The bill can go up to $4,000 total in some places.

Dental plans typically cap what they will cover at $1,000 to $1,500, so you may get a good amount of the cost covered, as long as you have no other dental expenses in the year. This can also vary a lot by insurer. They may decide that the operation is not necessary for your overall oral health.

The average out-of-pocket cost for wisdom tooth removal, after factoring in insurance coverage, is about $641 per tooth. However, this can range from $190 to $994.

On average, people without dental insurance could pay as little as $720 for the whole procedure, up to $2,735. In some areas of the country, it may cost $3,000 to $4,000 for the whole procedure.

You may need other dental treatments to prepare for wisdom teeth removal. These could be basic procedures like:

• Cleaning, which can range from $70 to $200.
• X-rays, which can cost $20 to $250.
• General dental exam, which can cost $50 to $150.

Other factors that can influence the cost of your wisdom tooth removal include:

• Your overall health and tolerance to medications.
• Whether your wisdom teeth have grown in fully. Adults in their 30s have a slightly higher risk of problems with wisdom teeth removal than younger adults.
• If you smoke or drink after the procedure. Doing so can lead to dry socket or infection, adding to your overall medical expenses.

If you need your wisdom teeth removed due to oral health risks or existing oral health problems, there is not much you can do to lower these costs. Dental insurance can certainly offset the overall bill, but you will still have to pay out of pocket for some of the bill.

Wisdom tooth removal can cost a lot depending on your current oral health, if your wisdom teeth are impacted, your age, and even where you live.

How to pay for wisdom tooth removal.

Whether you have dental insurance or not, you may need help covering all the costs of wisdom tooth removal. Here are some options to help you pay for your procedure:

Payment Plans

Most dental offices will help you set up installment payments so you can pay the overall bill in more manageable increments.

Sliding Scale Charges

You can find some community-based dental offices that offer sliding scale options for low-income individuals and families. You will have to fill out information about your income to qualify in most cases.

Credit Cards

Many people use a credit card to pay for their dental care, including wisdom tooth removal.

Small Loans

Some dental offices work with programs that offer dental-specific loans. You may also be able to find these types of loans through your bank. Like a credit card, you pay down the loan over time, but you may be able to get a lower interest rate.

Even if you do not have dental insurance, there are many options to cover the cost of getting your wisdom teeth removed. If your dentist recommends wisdom teeth removal, it’s wise to get the procedure done sooner rather than later.

Wisdom teeth removal for oral health.

Wisdom tooth removal is one of the most common dental procedures in the United States. Most people have their wisdom teeth removed when they are older adolescents or young adults. The ideal age is between 17 and 25 years old.

Your third molars, the medical term for wisdom teeth, are not useful for modern humans. While they do not cause oral hygiene issues for everyone, they can cause issues for many people if they grow in. Wisdom teeth may:

• Crowd or put pressure on your other adult teeth.
• Become impacted and undermine surrounding teeth.
• Cause jaw pain.
• Lead to infection.
• Trap food particles.
• Cause plaque buildup since they are difficult to clean.
• Put too much pressure on the muscles in your jaw hinge.

Worth the investment?

Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to a slew of other oral health issues. While the cost can be an impediment, ignoring the issue can trigger other oral health problems that could end up costing you more money in the end.

Frequently asked questions.

Why is wisdom teeth removal expensive?

Extracting wisdom is expensive because it is, first and foremost, a surgical procedure. Surgeries mean extra precautions for patient care, often including the necessity for the dentist to need extra assistance. Also, in many cases the procedure is not a simple extraction. It is often performed by oral or maxillofacial surgeons, who charge more than general dentists. Because the procedure is a complex extraction, there is a need for an intravenous sedation for pain management. IVs are more costly than general anesthesia.

What should you do when you can't afford wisdom teeth removal?

You have several options if you can’t afford the cost of a wisdom tooth removal. Some free dental clinics offer emergency appointments for patients with limited funds and no dental insurance. In addition, most dental offices provide payment plans and dental savings plans through third-party lenders. CareCredit financing is also an option where you make monthly payments.

Disclaimer: This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to serve as dental or other professional health advice and is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition or symptom. You should consult a dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.