How Much Does it Cost to Pull a Wisdom Tooth?

The cost of a wisdom tooth extraction can vary quite widely depending on where you have it done and the difficulty involved. Across the United States of America the cost can range from between $150 to $350 for a straightforward or “simple” extraction. This is where the tooth is erupted fully enough for forceps to be able to get a reasonable purchase on the crown of the tooth, and the tooth is delivered whole.

Very often though, the removal of a wisdom tooth, otherwise known as a third molar, is not so simple. Very often the third molar points rather forward as well as upward as it grows at the back of the lower jaw. This can result in the tooth getting stuck with its anterior (mesial) part jammed against the back (distal) of the second molar which is immediately in front of it. This can happen with either upper or lower third molars, but is more commonly a problem in the lower jaw. The fact that the tird molar has often breached the gum by the time it becomes impacted or stuck means that there is an opening into the gum where infection can enter. Food getting stuck here can cause bacteria to multiply and set up an infection in the gum around the impacted third molar. This has the effect of causing the gum to swell, making it liable to be traumatised by the upper third molar during chewing, and hence to swell even more. This condition of recurrent pericoronitis is quit painful and a common reason for the wisdom tooth to be removed.

A third molar or wisdom tooth that is impacted can be considerably more difficult to remove, and hence commands a higher fee. The operation may involve cutting the gum and removing bone in order to get access to the tooth, which is then elevated from the socket, i.e. levered out of the socket by use of specially shaped instruments. Sometimes it is necessary to actually cut the tooth itself into two and elevate the two pieces separately in different directions. Once the tooth is removed the socket is cleansed and sutured.

The fee for such a surgical wisdom tooth removal can vary from $350 to $650, and would be expected to include a follow-up visit to check that healing is satisfactory and to remove sutures. Some additional fees may also be levied with wisdom tooth extractions in respect of diagnostic radiographs (x-rays). Few dentists will remove other than the most straightforward of wisdom teeth without having taken a radiograph first which can cost from $20 to $80. This is in order to help plan the best way to remove the tooth, particularly its best exit pathway, and, also to determine whether there is much likelihood of damage to a nerve which lies very close to the bottom of the wisdom tooth root sometimes.

Should there be a need for sedation or general anaesthesia for the wisdom tooth removal then of course this could increase costs considerably. One could be looking at additional fees of $200 to $500.Many dental insurance plans will cover up to 80% of costs of an extraction providing it is medically necessary and not for cosmetic reasons. A wisdom tooth is not likely to be removed for cosmetic reasons so would qualify.

The only cheaper ways of getting a wisdom tooth removed would involve having it done in a dental hospital by dental students or travelling to Mexico where medical and surgical costs are much less.

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