What Is the Average Cost of Wisdom Tooth Removal Surgery?

The average cost of wisdom tooth removal surgery can vary depending on each patient’s specific needs. That’s why when you’re researching, you’ll probably find a range of prices—but a tooth that is easy to remove can cost as little as $75.

Kool Smiles offers a number of ways to keep the cost of wisdom tooth removal as low as possible. Keep reading to learn more about what affects your wisdom tooth removal cost. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, call 254-781-0553.

Typical Cost Ranges for Wisdom Tooth Removal

The cost of the surgery depends on how complex the tooth removal is.

• A simple removal can cost $75–$200 per tooth.
• If the tooth is impacted, it can cost $225–$600 per tooth.
• Some surgeons will offer a discount for removing all four teeth at once, which can save you $1,000 or more on the average cost of wisdom tooth removal surgery.

Additional Costs of Wisdom Tooth Removal

The average cost of wisdom tooth removal normally refers to the procedure itself, but there may be other costs involved in the process.

These are a few additional costs associated with wisdom tooth removal:

• A panoramic X-ray of the teeth is usually required before the extraction. The average cost of the X-ray is $60–150.
• Dental cone beam CT scans are taken to produce 3-D images of teeth, soft tissue and bone. This scan may be done if a regular X-ray is not enough. This can typically cost $250–600.
• Don’t forget an initial exam by a general or pediatric dentist. This is often the very first step. You can expect to pay $50–350.
• Nitrous oxide, local or general anesthesia can add several hundred dollars to the extraction.
• After-care, such as prescriptions, should also be factored into the cost.

You should ask your Kool Smiles dentist if any of these costs are included in the price of wisdom tooth extraction.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that pop up in the back corners of the mouth long after adult teeth come in. Because these teeth arrive last, they can cause problems, because they often come in:

• Misaligned—If this happens, the gums between the last tooth and the incoming wisdom tooth can become pinched, causing pain.
• At an angle—In this case, the wisdom tooth can hit the other teeth in the back of the mouth, which can cause permanent damage.
• Partially—This will leave an open hole in your child’s mouth that can often cause bacterial infections.

How the tooth comes in, and when it is removed, can impact the cost of the surgery.

Choosing to remove your wisdom teeth later in life can make the extraction more difficult and increase the cost of the wisdom tooth removal. As you get older, the wisdom tooth is harder to remove for multiple reasons, including harder bone, root formation and health problems associated with age.

Wisdom teeth typically come in between the ages of 18 and 24, so it is best to have them removed around the time that they have grown in to avoid complications.

Signs That It’s Time to Remove Your Wisdom Teeth

Don’t ignore the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth. Identifying early warning signs can prevent you from needing a more complex—and potentially more expensive— surgery to remove the wisdom teeth.

What are the signs that your wisdom teeth may need to be removed?

• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Jaw pain and swelling
• Bad breath
• Strange taste in the mouth
• Difficulty opening your mouth

If you are experiencing these unwanted symptoms, call 254-781-0553 to contact a Kool Smiles dental office near you to discuss wisdom tooth removal surgery and its cost.

How Much of the Cost of Wisdom Tooth Extraction Is Covered by Insurance?

Your dental insurance can cover much of the wisdom teeth removal cost based on your benefits, deductible and annual maximum. Insurance companies may give a 15% reimbursement or cover half of the total procedure costs.

Overall, the cost of the procedure can depend on several factors beyond the complexity of the procedure itself:

• Geographic area and average costs in a specific location
• The dentist’s credentials and experience
• Your insurance

Be sure to talk to your Kool Smiles orthodontist about the procedure process and your insurance plan. Dental insurance will often cover a portion of these costs if the surgery is medically necessary. And, because wisdom teeth can cause pain and damage to existing teeth, the removal is often required.

Kool Smiles is dedicated to providing affordable dental care to you and your children. We offer several payment options to help you cover the costs of treatment:

• Kool Smiles accepts Medicaid, CHIP, TRICARE, military insurance and various state-specific insurance plans.
• You can pay for your procedure in smaller, monthly payments using a healthcare credit card, such as CareCredit.
• Kool Smiles accepts cash and credit card payments for uninsured patients.

Don’t let cost get in the way of a necessary procedure. Our friendly staff will work with you to find the best payment method.

General Dentist Vs. Oral Surgeon for Wisdom Teeth Removal

Though a general dentist can remove wisdom teeth, there are benefits to seeing an oral surgeon for the procedure.

Unlike your general dentist, an oral surgeon is trained to perform the procedure with IV sedation. According to Dr. Bryce Williams, the core of an oral surgeon’s training is four to six years after dental school, and much of this training involves wisdom teeth removal. An oral surgeon is comfortable with much more complex procedures.

If you feel more comfortable with IV sedation rather than a local anesthetic, then an oral surgeon is your best option. Many Kool Smiles locations have an on-site oral surgeon who takes Medicaid. If an oral surgeon is not available, the general dentist can give a referral to an oral surgeon near you.

Remember: the complexity of your procedure and the type of anesthetic/sedation used can alter the average cost of wisdom teeth removal surgery. Choosing an oral surgeon may change the cost.

Wisdom Teeth Removal with Kool Smiles

You child is in safe hands at Kool Smiles. Our general and pediatric dentists continue their training well after being approved by their state’s Dental Board. Kool Smiles dentists get additional training on a quarterly basis, so your child will be treated by highly experienced professionals who are great with children.

Kool Smiles patients walk away satisfied with their dental care. But just how happy are they?

• We take pride in the fact that 97% of Kool Smiles patients plan to return to Kool Smiles and refer family and friends.
• Less than one in every 10,000 appointments results in a clinical complaint.
• Only one in every 4,000 appointments results in any type of complaint.

A positive experience can make the cost of wisdom teeth removal worth it. But don’t just take our word for it. Hear what some of our patients have to say.

“Kool Smiles of Fall River (eased) the fears of a parent and (allowed) my son to have what every child deserves — comprehensive dental care.” – Bethany, MA

“I love the way Kool Smiles treats my children. What I normally see is that my kids love coming here and they leave happy all the time. My children all want to go back to the dentist. Even I cannot believe it!” -Susana, TX

Talk to a Professional About the Wisdom Teeth Costs

Even with all of this information, the only way to know for sure what your child’s wisdom tooth removal will cost is to visit a dentist or oral surgeon. Your child’s teeth are unique and will require a professional’s opinion.

At Kool Smiles, we have a network of in-house dental specialists that can tell if your child will need to have their wisdom teeth removed and if it will be around the average cost. We have more than 120 locations nationwide for your convenience. Call Kool Smiles today at 254-781-0553 to make your wisdom tooth removal appointment!

FAQ: Kool Smiles and Wisdom Teeth Removal

Q: What happens if wisdom teeth are not removed?

Not all patients need their wisdom teeth removed. Sometimes wisdom teeth grow in straight and do not cause any pain or infection.

However, problematic wisdom teeth can cause serious issues if left untreated, such as:

• Impacted wisdom teeth
• Infection
• Damage to the bone
• Cysts
• Overcrowded teeth

Q: How do I know if my wisdom teeth have grown in?

If you can count more than 28 teeth, then you most likely have at least one wisdom tooth. Your dentist can confirm if all of your wisdom teeth have grown in.

Q: Does Medicaid cover wisdom teeth removal in adults?

While Medicaid is required to cover necessary dental procedures for children, this is not always the case in adults. Currently, there are 25 states that cover oral surgery and non-emergency extractions in adults. Some states have dollar limits. Nine states have annual coverage limits between $500 and $2500 for dental care.

Speak with your dentist about the average cost of wisdom teeth removal near you and the cost of removal with your insurance plan.

Q: Where is Kool Smiles located?

Kool Smiles is located throughout 15 different states.

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Sources:

CostHelper: http://health.costhelper.com/wisdom-teeth-removal.html

RadiologyInfo.org: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=dentalconect

Jean Brown Research: https://www.jeanbrownresearch.com/2014/04/age-wisdom-teeth-removal/

Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wisdom-teeth/symptoms-causes/syc-20373808

YourDentistryGuide.com: https://www.yourdentistryguide.com/wisdom-teeth/

University of Utah Health Radio: https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_kbsgyupm

University of Michigan Medicine: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tm6328

Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission: https://www.macpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Medicaid-Coverage-of-Dental-Benefits-for-Adults.pdf