What is the true wisdom teeth removal cost in 2022?
You know what they say – with age comes wisdom. And this usually comes literally. When you reach the ages of 17 to 21, your wisdom teeth will start to show up.
Wisdom teeth are your third molars and they are located at the very back part of your mouth. A person usually gets two on top and two on the bottom, completing a set of 32 adult teeth.
Some people are able to have their wisdom teeth come through correctly and as a result, they get to chew better.
For some people, this can be a very painful experience because there is not enough space for the wisdom teeth to the surface or they are coming out in the wrong position. They can get trapped under your gums or in your jaw. Because of this, wisdom teeth removal is needed.
This is a pretty common problem. In fact, oral surgeons would recommend that you take your wisdom teeth out before they erupt. Millions of people get their wisdom teeth removed every year, making it one of the most common oral surgery procedures done.
But how much does wisdom teeth removal cost? Here, we will discuss the possible total treatment costs that you might be facing when for wisdom teeth extraction.
How much does wisdom teeth removal cost?
One thing you should know is that there is no fixed rate when it comes to wisdom teeth removal. The total cost of wisdom teeth removal depends on how complicated the extraction will be.
But to give you an idea, we have gathered the estimated wisdom teeth removal cost that you might be looking at. This way, you will get an idea of how much does wisdom teeth removal surgery costs.
A simple wisdom teeth removal cost with local anesthesia can be anywhere between $80 and $200 per tooth or between $300 and $1000 for all four teeth.
For a soft tissue impacted tooth with general anesthesia, wisdom teeth removal cost will be higher. This may cost you anywhere between $225 and $600 per tooth or between $800 and $1800 for all four teeth.
For a bony impacted tooth with general anesthesia, the wisdom teeth removal cost can be anywhere between $250 and $500 per tooth or between $1000 and $2300 for all four.
If you want all four wisdom teeth removed, this will actually be more favorable because most oral surgeons would ask for a lower wisdom teeth removal cost. And let’s admit it – it is better to deal with everything in one go. It is estimated that you may be able to save about $1000 for the entire procedure.
Take note that these impacted wisdom teeth cost estimates do not include the cost of other dental treatments like the oral examination, aftercare, digital x-rays, or CT scans. Also, some dental professionals may have different rates for their general anesthesia.
How to pay for wisdom teeth removal
Wisdom tooth removal can be expensive for some people. If you think the price range above is beyond your budget – don’t worry! Here are some ways that can help you pay for the extraction.
Dental insurance
The most efficient way to help you pay for wisdom tooth removal is to use your dental insurance. But before you do your surgery, you must talk to a dental insurance agent first to check what kind of coverage you have for wisdom teeth removal.
This is because most insurance providers will only cover the cost if it involves impacted wisdom teeth. If not, there is a chance that the insurance company will not pay for the tooth extraction.
To be sure, check what dental insurance plans cover before starting your treatment. Dental insurance helps pay for your bills more if you see an insurance-friendly dentist.
Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
If you have a job, then you should check if you have FSA as part of your employee benefits. This is a set amount of pretax money taken out of your own salary to be placed aside for any future expenses. You can use the account at any time with your debit card.
You can use your flexible spending arrangement to help pay for dental procedures like wisdom teeth removal. Take note that FSA funds do not roll over so you have to use them up before the year ends so that they do not go to waste.
Health savings accounts (HSA)
This is a government-regulated savings account where an amount from your salary is set aside to cover health care expenses that will not be paid by your insurance provider. Wisdom tooth removal costs can be one of them.
Unlike FSA, funds in your health savings account can roll over to the following year. But take note that you should have a high-deductible insurance premium in order to qualify for an HSA.
Dental schools
One common way people get to save money on dental expenses is to get treatment from a medical school. You can check if your local dental schools provide cheap wisdom teeth removal.
Of course, there is some risk since a dental student will have to conduct your treatment although there will be a board-certified dentist around to supervise and provide emergency dental care. Since the treatment is not done by a professional, you can expect the cost to be lower.
In-house payment plans
You can ask your dental office if they have an in-house payment plan or a monthly payment plans that can help cover the cost of the extraction. Dental professionals are aware of how expensive their treatments are so most of them offer monthly installment plans to their clients.
Is wisdom tooth removal necessary?
Some people do not have to go through wisdom teeth extraction. This is because they are born with less than four wisdom teeth or that their incoming wisdom tooth was able to grow out with no problems.
When you are going through the following, you do not need to have your wisdom teeth removed by an oral surgeon:
- Minor pain and discomfort while the wisdom tooth is growing in.
- The wisdom tooth has grown completely in a proper manner.
- The wisdom tooth is not affecting any of the teeth nearby or the way you bite.
- There is enough room for the wisdom tooth to be brushed and cleaned.
But if you are going through the following situations below, you need to see a dental professional and have your problematic wisdom teeth removed.
- Severe discomfort and pain while the wisdom tooth is growing in.
- Tooth pain occur in the surrounding teeth.
- Infection takes place in the mouth.
- The wisdom tooth is growing out in a crooked position.
- You are feeling pain or discomfort in your jaw.
- There are tumors and fluid-filled sacs (cysts).
- The wisdom tooth has extensive tooth decay.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What happens if I don’t have my wisdom teeth extracted?
When your wisdom teeth should be removed but you do not act on them, this can lead to more problems in the future. These would mean you would have to seek more dental care treatments. Here are some possible situations that can happen when you choose to ignore your wisdom teeth:
An impacted wisdom tooth can form a cyst. This will damage the roots of the teeth nearby or destroy the bone that supports your teeth.
If there is not enough room for the wisdom tooth to come out, it will cause neighboring teeth to be damaged or to become crooked.
If the wisdom tooth has partially come out, it gives bacteria a chance to enter your gums and an infection can occur.
If the wisdom tooth comes out improperly, it will allow food to be trapped and cause cavities to grow and spread.
Why is wisdom tooth extraction more difficult than a normal tooth extraction?
Wisdom teeth do not grow out like your other teeth. They usually erupt in a more angled position. Also, they have multiple roots that are shaped irregularly.
So, wisdom teeth extraction cost higher because it is a complicated treatment. In fact, general anesthesia sedation is recommended since it can be a very painful process.
Does everyone have wisdom teeth?
Generally, everyone has wisdom teeth but not everyone gets to have all four. It’s been said that only about 40% of people have all four wisdom teeth while 25% of people are born with one to three wisdom teeth.
When is the best time to get wisdom teeth removed?
It is recommended to deal with your wisdom teeth when you are between the ages of 17 and 25. This way, the roots have not yet developed and entwined themselves in the nerves. Once the roots and the nerves are entwined, wisdom tooth extraction will become more complicated and expensive.
Conclusion
Wisdom teeth removal may not be cheap but saving you from a lot of complications in the future make extracting wisdom teeth worth it. It saves you from a lot of pain and discomfort in the future.
Remember, an impacted wisdom tooth will never heal on its own. Ignoring the first signs of an impacted wisdom tooth can cause further complications and would mean a more expensive surgery in the future. The sooner you deal with it, the better.