What is wisdom tooth removal?
Your wisdom teeth are sometimes called your “third molars.” They’re a set of 4 teeth that are the final adult teeth to erupt, or grow in, likely between ages 17 and 21. That said: Many people’s wisdom teeth never come through. This means they’re “impacted,” and often will need to be extracted.
In some cases, this isn’t an issue, and there’s no need to remove the wisdom tooth. In other situations, however, your dentist may recommend extracting the tooth. They might suggest this because:
- The tooth could be prone to decay or disease because it’s hard to keep clean.
- It could crowd your mouth, causing your other teeth to move.
- It can cause pain, swelling and infection.
- If a tooth is partially grown in it can cause “pericoronitis,” which is where the tissues around the tooth becomes infected.
This is often done as a preventative measure, usually in your teens or early twenties.
If your wisdom teeth do need to be extracted, you may require surgery. This is usually done under local anesthetic.
Wisdom tooth removal is a common oral surgery. It usually takes about an hour, and recovery usually lasts 2 weeks.
How much does wisdom tooth removal cost?
This will depend on a few factors, starting with how complex the surgery is.
A simple removal of a tooth that has erupted, for example, can cost between $200 and $400. A more complicated surgery where the tooth is still below the gum, on the other hand, can cost $500 to $800.
If you are having more than one wisdom tooth removed, it is also possible your dentist may bundle the cost together, which could save you some money.
Will insurance cover wisdom tooth removal?
If you have dental insurance through your workplace or an individual plan, there’s a good chance your insurance will cover some of the costs of wisdom tooth removal. This will depend on your plan, of course.
In general, tooth extractions will fall under routine dental coverage.
There may be other costs associated with wisdom tooth removal that will not be covered by routine dental coverage, like anesthesia or facility fees.
Before any procedures are performed, it’s important to have your dentist or surgeon submit a pre-treatment plan to your insurance company. This can help ensure there are no surprise costs that aren’t covered by your plan.