How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Extraction Cost?
Having wisdom teeth removed is never a fun adventure but it’s often very necessary. Knowing how much the procedure will cost before you get into it will help alleviate some of your stress pre-surgery.
Wisdom teeth are often removed in your late teens but sometimes it is not necessary until you’re older. In this article we will discuss the reasons for wisdom teeth removal and how much you can expect to spend out-of-pocket.
Necessity of Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom tooth removal is very common, however it is not always necessary. For some patients, the wisdom teeth never cause any problems while for others, it is very necessary.
Some reasons that you may need to have your wisdom teeth removed are pain, damage or decay, misalignment and crowding of the teeth, damage to the jaw, and increased risk of tooth decay, gum inflammation and even sinus issues. These issues will never go away on their own and will only get worse over time.
Your dentist will x-ray all of your teeth to see how your wisdom teeth could affect the rest of your teeth in time.
How much does is cost to have your wisdom teeth removed?
The cost of removing one tooth can run from $75-$900. This will depend on whether or not the tooth has a erupted through the gum. Having all four removed at once can range from $300-$3000. Location of the tooth and anesthetic used and any x-rays that need to be taken will affect the overall cost of wisdom tooth removal.
- Simple extraction: Simple extractions of your wisdom teeth involved those that have fully routed through the gum with normal positioning and simple routes.
- Surgical extraction with soft tissue impaction: Removing a wisdom tooth that involves some soft tissue impaction will range from $225-$400 but could run as high as $600. Removing all four wisdom teeth with soft tissue impaction can run about $1500. The procedure for soft tissue impaction wisdom teeth involves cutting away some of the gum tissue so the surgeon can access the tooth. The gums will then be suture together once the tooth has been removed.
- Surgical extraction with bony impaction: Extraction with bony impaction is when the wisdom tooth is still encased in the jawbone. Your oral surgeon will need to cut away a small piece of the jawbone in order to remove the tooth. This process can cost between $275 all the way up to $900. All four teeth can run up to $3000.
Associated Costs
A couple of things can add to the overall total of wisdom tooth extraction. This will involve the initial exam which may be free or could cost as much as $200. Any x-rays that need to be taken can run from $25-$300. Anesthesia is another factor that will add a considerable amount to your fee. If your surgeon uses nitrous oxide it may only cost $50-$100. Local anesthesia can run about $300 in general anesthesia can cost up to $500 per hour. You’ll also want to take into consideration the costs of recovery including prescription medication and time taken off of work.
Dental insurance will likely cover some of the cost of your extractions. Speak with your Oral Surgeon about a payment plan.
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