How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?

When you need wisdom teeth removal, one of the first things you’ll likely want to know is how much it will cost. The costs vary depending on several factors, so it is important to get an estimate before proceeding with the procedure. You may also have some questions regarding wisdom teeth procedures, such as the factors that influence the cost and your health insurance coverage.

If you have an upcoming wisdom tooth extraction, continue reading this blog post, as we will discuss the average price of treatment and the importance of having it done. Keep reading for more information!

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

It may surprise you to know, but your mouth changes over time, and one major dental milestone that you may undergo is the development of your third molars, often referred to as wisdom teeth. They can grow at the back of your mouth, both in the upper and lower parts. Generally, these last sets of teeth may appear during late teens or young adulthood (ages of 17 to 25). They are called wisdom teeth because they begin to erupt at a mature age.

Some people can have their wisdom teeth developed without causing any problems or risking damage to adjacent teeth. Unfortunately, more people experience severe pain coming from their jaws or the back of their mouth because of impacted wisdom teeth. It can occur if there’s insufficient space, causing them to be crowded and to develop in the wrong position.

Do I Need to Remove My Wisdom Teeth?

Most dental professionals recommend removing wisdom teeth if they are causing persistent, severe pain and if there’s a risk of damage to the nearby teeth.

If your wisdom teeth start to erupt, your dentist may suggest a dental x-ray to get a clear image of their structure. If the teeth are impacted, they may suggest observing them for a few more days. When the pain is persistent and too severe, removal may be necessary to ease the discomfort and prevent possible risks of complications.

Common problems with impacted wisdom teeth may include the following:

Damage to the Surrounding Teeth

The pushing of a wisdom tooth against the second molar can cause damage, weaken the tooth roots, or increase the risk of infection in that area. Also, they may result in overcrowding and misalignment of the other teeth.

Tooth Decay

Impacted wisdom teeth may erupt partially, which means food debris can get easily stuck between the gums and an erupted tooth. It can be hard to reach particular areas and keep them clean when this happens, making them prone to tooth decay.

Gum Disease

As mentioned, it can be challenging to maintain your oral hygiene when you have a painful, impacted wisdom tooth. This problem may cause inflammation and irritation of your gum tissue, increasing the risk of developing gum disease.

Oral Cyst

The wisdom tooth grows in a sac within the jawbone. It can fill with fluid that may potentially form a cyst that can harm the jawbone, teeth, and nerves. This complication may necessitate the removal of surrounding tissues and bone, and the tooth.

Orthodontic Treatment

In some cases, your wisdom tooth may need to be removed if the dentist determines that it may interfere with the success of the orthodontic treatment.

Are There Possible Risks with Wisdom Teeth Removal?

In most cases, wisdom teeth extractions rarely result in long term complications. However, as with any medical procedure, there are possible risks associated with the removal process:

• Dry socket (Alveolar Osteitis). When the blood clot in the extraction area is dislodged or fails to develop in the tooth socket, it can result in a dry socket. A blood clot is essential for the recovery period following wisdom tooth removal.
• Nerve damage. This problem may result in temporary or permanent damage. Numbness in the surrounding area may be one of the indications.
• Excessive bleeding. It’s normal to experience bleeding within the first 8 to 12 hours after tooth removal. It happens before a blood clot forms at the extraction site. Follow your dentist’s instructions, which can help to minimise bleeding.
• Oral Infection. Signs of infection may include high fever, oozing pus from the tooth socket or extraction site, and persistent pain and swelling.
• Trismus. It is common to experience tightness and pain when opening the jaw after a long period of wisdom tooth removal procedure. Trismus happens when the jaw muscles become rigidly angled during oral surgery. This should fade away as the extraction site heals but can also be managed with medication or rehabilitation exercises.

 

Does Health Insurance Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Most private health insurance offer benefits to cover only a part or all of the procedure’s cost, depending on the level of extras.

You can claim the benefit as long as you have passed the required waiting period, have the required extras, and haven’t exhausted your annual limit. Afterwhich, you can use your insurance to help you with the payment of wisdom tooth removal costs.

You may still need to pay out-of-pocket if the actual cost of your wisdom tooth removal exceeds the limit of your insurance plan. It’s best to consult your dentist to find out the cost and contact your health insurance company to confirm your extras. You may get the item numbers of the treatments you need from the dentist, so it’s easier to give information when you call them.

Can You Get a Wisdom Tooth Pulled without Insurance?

You can still have your wisdom teeth extracted even without insurance. This means you’re more likely to pay the total cost of the procedure. If you want to avoid high out-of-pocket costs, it’s best to have health insurance to help you with the expense.

How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?

The expense of wisdom tooth removal differs depending on many factors, including the treatment plan and the complexity of the procedure. Extractions performed inside the dentist’s office are commonly less complicated. On the other hand, complex cases may require hospitalisation, which can be more costly.

The following is a list of the average cost of wisdom teeth removal. They might differ from your actual cost:

• Simple Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost This procedure is often done in the dental clinic, and the estimated cost may range from $250 to $400 per tooth.
• Impacted Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost An impacted tooth may involve making an incision to the gum line to expose the tooth. You may need a high level of anaesthesia to undergo this process. The average cost is $450 to $600 per tooth. In contrast, if the extraction requires general anaesthesia and hospitalisation, typically, it may range from $2,000 to $3,000.

 

For a more accurate quotation of your wisdom tooth extraction cost, it’s best to consult with your dentist.

What Are the Ways You Can Save Money on Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Dental procedures such as wisdom tooth removal can be quite expensive. Hence, it’s no surprise why most patients find other ways to save money on such treatments.

Having health funds can help you avoid paying costly out-of-pocket expenses. You will need a high level of extras to get coverage. Some of the common private health insurance that offers benefits of paying a certain percentage of wisdom tooth removal are Medibank, HBF, Bupa, etc.

Extras can be used in dental clinics and hospitals. Keep in mind that every health insurance policy is unique and that you may still need to pay fees if the cost exceeds the plan’s limit.

Another way that can make dental procedures more accessible is through payment plans. The financing options available at your dentist’s office can allow you to pay through instalments or split your payment for treatments. How it works varies depending on the type of payment plan.

Factors that May Influence the Cost of Wisdom Teeth Removal

The cost of wisdom teeth surgery differs from person to person because it depends on different factors, such as the following:

Type of Tooth Extraction

Generally, there are different procedures that dental professionals use to extract a wisdom tooth. This depends on the type of impaction or the tooth’s position under the gums. Soft tissue impaction is when the wisdom tooth partially erupts through the gum line, yet there may still be gum tissue that surrounds the tooth. In other cases, a wisdom tooth may get stuck underneath the bone at an awkward angle. These cases can be more complicated and may have a higher cost.

Dentist’s fee

A professional fee is another aspect that can influence the cost of dental treatments. If you have a more difficult wisdom tooth, your dentist may need to refer you to an oral surgeon to have it removed. The dentist’s expertise is more likely to cost more due to their skills, training, and other factors.

Dental insurance coverage

It is essential to have private health insurance as it can significantly influence the actual cost of your dental treatment. But it’s also imperative that you choose the right professional dentist that accepts the insurance company you’re covered by. If you have recently joined a private health provider, make sure to check the waiting period. Generally, most companies require 6 to 12 months before offering dental procedure coverage.

Location

The location of the dental clinic may also have an impact on the expense of wisdom tooth removal or any other dental procedure. For instance, if you’re in an area where there’s lower accessibility of resources, it costs the dental clinic more money to stock items. This may result into more expensive treatment rates.

Is there any alternative to Removing a Wisdom Tooth?

If you’re considering avoiding wisdom tooth extraction, coronectomy can be an option. It is a dental procedure that involves removing only the crown of the tooth and leaving the roots in your jaw. In some instances, it can only be done as an alternative to having wisdom teeth removed.

The dentist may recommend this process if they suspect a high risk of damaging the dental nerve during tooth extraction. Some researchers discussed that coronectomy could be considered safer than extraction among people over 40 years old.

However, coronectomy may not be an option if the impacted wisdom tooth or its root is infected. We recommend consulting your dentist so they can assess your wisdom teeth and your health condition to determine a treatment plan that will work best for you.

Final Thoughts

Removal of wisdom teeth can be considered one of the important dental procedures to maintain the patient’s oral health. It is necessary to use a type of anaesthesia to reduce discomfort during oral surgery. It’s not surprising that wisdom tooth extraction can be pretty expensive due to its complicated process.

There are different situations or factors that can significantly impact the cost of wisdom tooth extraction. For example, general anaesthesia may cost more than local anaesthesia, same goes with simple extractions and complex procedures. Fortunately, private health insurance can help you reduce the amount by providing coverage. Yet, it’s important to note that there might still be additional costs that can exceed your insurance coverage limit. In addition, financing options can make the cost more affordable by dividing the payment.

At Peel Dental Studio, we don’t want you to delay dental care. If you have more questions, please get in touch with our clinic at (08) 9535 4900. Our team will be glad to discuss further a more accurate estimate of the cost of wisdom teeth removal for your case.

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