Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost: What To Expect (February 2025)
- What Are Wisdom Teeth?
- Types of Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedures
- How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
- Factors Affecting the Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal
- Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost by State
- Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Covered by Insurance?
- How Much Can Insurance Cover?
- Risks of Not Removing Wisdom Teeth
- Recovery Tips for Wisdom Teeth Removal
- How to Pay for Wisdom Tooth Removal
- How to Save Money on Wisdom Teeth Removal
- Find the Answers You Need
How much does wisdom teeth removal cost? Quick Answer
- The average cost of surgically removing four non-impacted wisdom teeth is $2,685, rising to $3,340 if impacted. Factors such as the complexity of the extraction, location, anesthesia used, and dental insurance also affect the overall cost.
Summary
- Wisdom teeth removal costs can run between $200 and $1,100 per tooth
- Dental insurance typically covers 50%–80% of wisdom teeth removal costs
- Wisdom teeth removal can involve additional expenses
Dental surgeons remove the wisdom teeth of about five million people yearly in the U.S. at an average cost of $2,685 for the basic procedure with non-impacted teeth. So it’s not surprising that a top question patients ask of dentists is whether insurance covers wisdom teeth removal costs.
The answer is that it depends on your dental or health insurance and whether removal is a medical necessity.
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What Are Wisdom Teeth?
Most people have their full set of 20 baby teeth by the time they’re two years old. Once those fall out, they’re replaced by a permanent set of 32 adult teeth. In the front are incisors for cutting and tearing, and farther back are the molars, which are flat for grinding food.
Three sets of molars come in fours at the top and bottom of each side of the mouth. The last set, which typically appears between the ages of 17 and 25, is called the third molars, more commonly known as wisdom teeth.
For some people, wisdom teeth never emerge. For others, they may get stuck, leading to pain, infection, and other dental issues.
Types of Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedures
There are two main types of wisdom teeth removal:
Simple Extraction
A dentist can extract the tooth that is visible and easy to access by using an elevator and dental forceps to lift and then pull out the tooth.
Surgical Extraction
A maxillofacial surgeon can remove teeth that are impacted below the gum surface, encased in the jawbone or buried beneath the gums and jawbone. The surgeon opens the gums with an incision, using forceps to pull out the tooth or tooth fragments.
The ease or difficulty of access to a tooth affects wisdom teeth removal cost. For example, the average cost of surgically removing four wisdom teeth that are impacted is $3,340.
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How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
If your dentist has recommended extracting your wisdom teeth, it may be a medical necessity, which is the standard most dental and health insurers use to determine whether to cover the procedure.
Like many procedures, wisdom tooth removal costs without insurance can vary, running from as little as $200 to $1,000 or more. The difference in wisdom tooth extraction cost depends on whether the tooth has erupted, or pushed up through the gums, or is impacted, remaining in the jawbone beneath the gum line.
Here’s a look at the range of possible costs to remove one wisdom tooth:
- Erupted: $200–$700
- Impacted, Under Soft Tissue: $250–$850
- Impacted, Partially in Bone: $300–$950
- Impacted, Fully in Bone: $350–$1,100
These costs include the procedure and a local anesthetic. However, there are additional expenses to consider in the overall wisdom teeth removal price.
Here are some possible additional wisdom teeth surgery costs:
- X-Ray: $150
- Nitrous Oxide: $40–$150
- General Anesthesia: $250–$800
- Follow-Up Exam: $100
- Pain Management: Up to $60 per prescription
General dentists may be able to extract an erupted tooth in their office. Impacted wisdom teeth, especially those rooted in bone, often require the services of a maxillofacial surgeon.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal
The cost to remove wisdom teeth varies because of several factors:
- A tooth’s condition—erupted or impacted
- The number of teeth
- Your age
- The type of anesthesia used
- Who performs the extraction—a dentist or surgeon
- Your location
Learning the average wisdom teeth removal cost for your state can give you an idea of how much the procedure might cost you.
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Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost by State
So how much does it cost to remove all four wisdom teeth? The average cost of the basic removal of four wisdom teeth is $2,685. But expenses may vary by state. In Maryland, for example, the average cost is a nationwide low of $2,191, while Colorado represents the most expensive state for wisdom teeth removal at $3,256.
Here is the average cost in each state:
State | Average cost | State | Average cost |
---|---|---|---|
Colorado | $3,256 | Arizona | $2,672 |
Wisconsin | $3,181 | Oklahoma | $2,669 |
Delaware | $3,139 | Tennessee | $2,636 |
Arkansas | $3,069 | Virginia | $2,628 |
Louisiana | $3,026 | Montana | $2,624 |
West Virginia | $3,016 | Utah | $2,602 |
New Hampshire | $2,998 | Nevada | $2,587 |
Hawaii | $2,868 | South Dakota | $2,570 |
Georgia | $2,846 | Washington | $2,550 |
Florida | $2,843 | Oregon | $2,543 |
Pennsylvania | $2,839 | Alabama | $2,513 |
Nebraska | $2,838 | Wyoming | $2,513 |
Michigan | $2,837 | North Dakota | $2,501 |
Kansas | $2,832 | Indiana | $2,498 |
Rhode Island | $2,829 | Missouri | $2,480 |
Texas | $2,801 | Iowa | $2,445 |
Maine | $2,768 | Idaho | $2,433 |
New Mexico | $2,761 | Ohio | $2,410 |
Minnesota | $2,754 | North Carolina | $2,407 |
Vermont | $2,746 | District of Columbia | $2,352 |
Kentucky | $2,738 | South Carolina | $2,290 |
New York | $2,724 | New Jersey | $2,288 |
Alaska | $2,723 | Illinois | $2,265 |
Massachusetts | $2,708 | Mississippi | $2,223 |
California | $2,691 | Maryland | $2,191 |
Connecticut | $2,673 |
Is Wisdom Teeth Removal Covered by Insurance?
Your dental insurance may cover at least part of your wisdom teeth removal or surgery cost. Insurers may cover medically necessary procedures, meaning your wisdom teeth are affecting your oral health.
Your group health insurance may also pay for part of your wisdom tooth surgery. Check with your health insurance company. If you’re covered, your medical insurer will be the primary payer, and your dental insurer will be the secondary contributor. Solid medical insurance can provide you with higher coverage.
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How Much Can Insurance Cover?
Dental plans may pay 50%–80% of the cost of wisdom teeth extraction, depending on your deductible and copay. Dental plans also typically have annual maximums for coverage, which may be $1,000 or $1,500.
Many dental plans have waiting periods. As such, it’s wise to purchase your insurance well before surgery to make sure you have coverage when you need it.
Risks of Not Removing Wisdom Teeth
When wisdom teeth have room and can grow properly, they don’t usually cause problems. However, impacted wisdom teeth could lead to issues with your oral and overall health.
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons reports that about 70% of people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, damage nearby teeth, and become infected.
Because the back teeth are hard to reach, it’s also easier for an impacted wisdom tooth to develop a cavity or collect bacteria, increasing the risk of gum disease. Bacteria and infections in the teeth can even travel through the bloodstream, affecting your heart and other organs.
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Recovery Tips for Wisdom Teeth Removal
It may take two weeks for you to recover, so consider these tips to help:
- Drink cold water to stay hydrated
- Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking
- Eat soft foods at room temperature
- Stay away from hot and spicy foods
- Set straws aside for a couple of weeks
- Gently brush your front teeth only
- Rinse the rest of your mouth with salt water
- Take ibuprofen, acetaminophen or a prescribed painkiller for pain
Your recovery may vary, so use these tips to avoid irritating the wound.
How to Pay for Wisdom Tooth Removal
Because of the close connection between oral and full-body health, putting off having your wisdom teeth removed could be harmful. If you’re uninsured and you have concerns about the cost of the procedure, talk to your dentist about how to get help paying.
Your dentist may be willing to spread the cost across several payments. Alternatively, you can look into medical aid programs, community health centers and dental schools to receive dental care by searching for “cheap wisdom teeth removal no insurance near me.”
Here are some of the programs you might find:
Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services oversees public health insurance programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Medicare, which serves people age 65 and older, has limited dental coverage, but Medicare Advantage Plans can offer additional coverage.
Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income individuals and is run by each state. Some states offer dental care for adults, and some don’t. While CHIP dental services vary by state, the program covers all those under 18.
Community Health Centers
Many cities and towns have community health centers that provide healthcare services for free or at reduced prices. You may be able to secure dental services like wisdom teeth removal at one of these places.
Dental Schools
It’s also a good idea to check with your local dental school if you have one in your community, as it could be a good source of low-cost dental care. Dental students often gain experience treating patients at reduced costs under the supervision of licensed dentists.
Wisdom tooth removal cost, with insurance or without, can put a dent in your wallet, but good oral health is essential for good overall health. Perhaps you’re wondering: How much is dental insurance? Or you want to know, “Is AARP dental insurance worth it?” You can explore these options, depending on your needs.
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How to Save Money on Wisdom Teeth Removal
If you have dental insurance, consider the following to save money when having your wisdom teeth removed:
- Make sure your dentist or surgeon is in-network
- Shop around in-network for the lowest price
- Seek a discount to have all your wisdom teeth removed at once
- Request local anesthetic
- Ask to be billed for the exact amount of anesthesia
- Subscribe to a discount dental program
Many wisdom teeth removals are preventive. Shopping around may help save you money.
Find the Answers You Need
ConsumerShield is your source of trusted information. All of our articles are reviewed by professionals to empower you to make better decisions. To discuss your insurance needs, reach out to our dedicated team for assistance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Dental and medical insurance can cover wisdom teeth removal if the procedure is deemed a medical necessity. Some dental plans pay for 50% to 80% of the procedure, while medical insurance might pay more. Most dental insurance comes with an annual maximum of $1,000 or $1,500.
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Depending on whether your wisdom tooth has erupted or is impacted, removal could cost $200 to $1,100. If your insurance pays 80% of $1,100, you would owe $220. Note that wisdom tooth removal often carries additional costs for X-rays, general anesthesia, and pain prescriptions.