How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?

Last Updated on January 27, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The cost of wisdom teeth removal depends on several factors, including the type of impaction, the number of teeth being removed, the anesthesia used, and your location. On average, wisdom teeth removal costs between $150 and $2,000 per tooth, but prices can exceed $5,000 depending on complications.

Understanding the full costs ahead of time can help you financially prepare and choose the right oral surgeon for your wisdom teeth extraction.

How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?

The average cost of wisdom tooth extraction ranges from $75 to $200 per tooth for simple extractions, to $250 to $600 per tooth for soft tissue impactions, and $800 to $2,000 per tooth for partial or full bony impactions.

Here are the typical price ranges:

• Simple extraction: $150 to $300 per tooth
• Soft tissue impaction: $300 to $800 per tooth
• Partial bony impaction: $500 to $1,200 per tooth
• Full bony impaction: $1,000 to $2,000 per tooth

On average, you can expect to pay:

• Around $300 to $600 to remove one wisdom tooth
• Between $800 and $1,500 for all four wisdom teeth

However, your total costs depend heavily on the severity of the impaction and the complexity of the procedure. Surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth can range from $500 to $3,000 per tooth.

According to Direct Benefits, for example, the cost of wisdom teeth removal can range from $75 to $1,100 per tooth, depending on the type of extraction and whether or not you have insurance. A simple extraction can cost anywhere from $75 to $200 per tooth, while a surgical extraction can cost anywhere from $225 to $1,100 per tooth.

GoodRx notes that the cost of wisdom teeth removal can range from $200 to $1,100 per tooth, with erupted teeth being the least costly to extract. The website also provides a tool to search for prices at local dental offices.

Byte writes that the cost of wisdom teeth removal without insurance can range from $720 to $4,000, with an average cost of $641 per tooth. With insurance, the average out-of-pocket cost is about $641 per tooth, but this can range from $190 to $994.

According to Wisdom Teeth Factory, the cost of removing a single wisdom tooth can range from $75 to $200 for a simple extraction and can go up to $225 to $600 for a surgical extraction. The total cost can range from $300 to $2,000 or more if all four wisdom teeth need to be removed. The website also provides a chart comparing their prices to the national average.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal

Several variables affect the overall price of wisdom teeth removal:

Dentist vs. Oral Surgeon Fees

Oral surgeons who specialize in wisdom tooth extraction typically charge $100 to $200 more per tooth than general dentists. Their higher fees account for their specialized skills and training.

Type of Impaction

The amount of impacted wisdom tooth buried in the gum tissue and jaw bone heavily influences the difficulty of the extraction. More complicated impactions cost more to remove.

Number of Teeth

Extracting all four wisdom teeth in a single surgery is typically cheaper than removing them separately. Some surgeons offer discounts of $75 to $200 per tooth for extracting all wisdom teeth at once.

Anesthesia

General anesthesia administered by an anesthesiologist costs $200 to $600 more per surgery than local anesthesia. However, this sedation results in a smoother procedure and minimizes discomfort.

Location

Dental fees are typically 15% to 50% higher in major metro areas due to higher business overhead costs. Suburban and rural areas offer more affordable rates.

What Does Dental Insurance Cover?

Most dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost to have wisdom teeth removed since it’s a medically necessary procedure. On average, plans cover 50% to 80% of extraction costs, while you pay the remaining amount out-of-pocket.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a dental crown, tooth extraction, or dental cleaning.

Coverage typically ranges from $50 to $150 per tooth, and depends on your plan’s annual maximum benefit. Many insurers classify wisdom teeth removal as a major procedure, with plan maximums between $800 and $1,500 annually per covered individual.

Always verify your benefits beforehand so you know what to expect cost-wise. Some dental insurers require a copay or deductible payment too.

Preparing Financially for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Since insurance doesn’t cover the full cost, you should budget for out-of-pocket expenses:

• Consultation visit: $0 to $75 exam fee
• X-rays: $30 to $250 for panoramic and intraoral films
• Anesthesia: $75 to $250 for local anesthesia or $250 to $600 for general anesthesia
• Extractions: Your portion after insurance typically $500 to $1,000
• Follow-up visit: $0 to $75 exam fee

Other potential costs include prescriptions, gauze, and an ice pack for recovery.

To save money, compare rates between network general dentists and oral surgeons. An experienced dentist can perform uncomplicated wisdom tooth removal for $150 to $300 less per tooth.

The Procedure: Step-by-Step Cost Breakdown

The total wisdom tooth extraction cost is the combined cost of each step:

1. Initial exam and x-rays: $75 to $350
2. Consultation with surgeon: No additional fee to $100
3. Anesthesia on procedure day: $75 for local up to $600 for general
4. Extractions: Ranges from $150 to $2,000 per tooth
5. Additional x-rays to verify full removal: $50 to $100 per image
6. Sutures and postoperative instructions: Included in extraction fees
7. Optional biopsy of tissue: $50 to $300 per wisdom tooth
8. Follow-up visit: $0 to $100

Oral surgeons should provide a complete cost estimate ahead of time so you can budget and prepare.

Postoperative Recovery Expenses

Wisdom tooth removal requires several days of postoperative recovery. Common costs include:

• Prescription pain medication: $15 to $50
• Antibacterial mouth rinse: $5 to $15
• Replacement ice packs: $10 to $20
• Soft foods: $15 to $40
• Time off work for recovery: Varies by wage

Stock up on groceries for the recovery period before your surgery so you have soft, nutritious food options available.

Should You Remove Wisdom Teeth? A Cost-Benefit Analysis

The dental costs of the  wisdom teeth removal procedure are typically outweighed by the potential long-term risks of keeping them, such as:

• Tooth decay and gum disease
• Chronic pain or infection
• Crowding or damage to other teeth
• Cysts or tumors forming near impacted teeth

Proactively removing problematic wisdom teeth when you’re young can avoid more invasive surgery later in life. It’s wise to get evaluated and follow your dentist or surgeon’s recommended treatment plan.

Final Words

Carefully weigh the benefits vs. risks of wisdom tooth extraction using the latest professional advice. Thoroughly review your dental insurance coverage and get multiple cost estimates before consenting to surgery.

Seeking preventive wisdom teeth evaluation around ages 16 to 22 can help detect potential problems early. Removing symptomatic teeth sooner than later can prevent extensive dental damage and more expensive complicated extractions in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get 2 or 4 wisdom teeth removed?

If your dentist or oral surgeon recommends removing two problematic wisdom teeth, it is generally advisable to extract all four wisdom teeth at the same time if possible.

Extracting all four wisdom teeth rather than just two has several potential benefits:

• It avoids undergoing anesthesia and surgery twice. Having two separate procedures doubles the risk of surgical complications and recovery time.
• A single surgery is more cost-effective. Oral surgeons typically offer a $100 to $300 discount per tooth when extracting all four wisdom teeth together rather than two at a time.
• If two wisdom teeth are already causing problems, the other two likely will eventually too. Extracting only the symptomatic teeth often results in needing later surgery to remove the remaining wisdom teeth after they start causing similar issues.
• It prevents future crowding issues. Keeping two wisdom teeth can cause them to shift and damage surrounding teeth over time. Removing all four maintains optimal space.

However, there are scenarios where removing only two wisdom teeth may be prudent if recommended by your oral health professional, such as when the other wisdom teeth are still completely impacted and not at risk of future problems. Overall, talk to your dentist about the risks and benefits of extracting two verses four wisdom teeth for your unique situation.

How risky is removing all 4 wisdom teeth?

Removing all four wisdom teeth in one surgery is generally considered very safe when performed by an experienced surgeon. However, as with any oral surgery, there are some risks:

• Bleeding: Excessive bleeding can occur but is controlled with pressure, gelatin sponges and sutures.
• Numbness: The lingual nerve or inferior alveolar nerve can be bruised, resulting in temporary or permanent numbness in the lip, chin and tongue. This occurs in less than 1% of cases.
• Damage to other teeth: Usually avoided by skilled surgeons, but adjacent teeth may suffer minor cracks or damage.
• Dry socket: The extraction site loses its blood clot prematurely, causing severe pain requiring additional office visits to treat. Happens in 5% to 30% of extractions.
• Infection: Bacteria can enter the open socket, resulting in localized infection requiring antibiotics or drainage. However, infection is uncommon when proper oral hygiene is followed post-surgery.

Proper planning, high-quality surgical treatment, and excellent postoperative care help minimize risks and support smooth healing when removing all four wisdom teeth at once.

Be sure to follow your oral surgeon’s post-op instructions carefully, including keeping the sites clean, chewing gently, and avoiding certain activities that could dislodge the clots.

Most people heal very well and are glad to have all four wisdom teeth out in one procedure rather than undergoing multiple surgeries. Discuss your specific health factors with your dental professional when deciding on appropriate surgical risks.

How long is recovery for all 4 wisdom teeth?

Having all four wisdom teeth removed at once does extend the recovery period compared to a single tooth, but complete healing typically takes 7 to 10 days. Here is the general recovery timeline:

• Day of surgery: The first 24 hours involve significant swelling and bleeding as the anesthesia wears off. Use ice packs to minimize swelling. Eat soft foods and take prescribed pain medication as directed.
• Days 2-3: Swelling peaks on days two and three. Pain and discomfort are moderate but manageable with OTC pain relievers in most cases. Drink lots of fluids and continue a soft food diet.
• Days 4-5: Swelling and pain start subsiding. Try some normal foods carefully if chewing is not too uncomfortable.
• Day 6: Most patients turn the corner on day six. The swelling has gone down considerably, pain is mild and manageable without medication.
• Days 7-14: Gradual return to normal diet and activities. Possibly some lingering mild soreness when chewing. All sutures have dissolved.
• 2 weeks: By the start of week three, patients are back to their usual routine with minimal to no pain. Complete mucosal healing takes approximately 2 weeks.

Full bone healing can take 3-6 months for complete maturation and remineralization. Avoid any high impact activities during this time. With proper self-care and checkups, you’ll recover quickly and have excellent outcomes.