What Are The Wisdom Teeth And Why Are They Removed?
Your wisdom teeth are the last teeth to erupt, and they act as a set of back-up molars. They would be useful if you had lost a molar and needed a replacement, but thanks to the advances of modern dentistry most of us still have our molars by the time our wisdom teeth erupts, which is in the late teens or early 20s.
By the time they wisdom teeth erupt, there isn’t really much space for them as ‘extra’ teeth, and the lack of room means they erupt in irregular ways.
How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
The cost of your wisdom tooth extraction will depend on the severity and complexity of your case. Your friendly Woonona dentist will inspect your mouth and take some x-rays before presenting you with a cost estimate.
The most cost-effective wisdom tooth removal procedures are performed in-chair. Should you need general anaesthetic, the costs will be higher.
Figures from smile.com.au’s Dental Fee Survey Of 2017 indicate that wisdom tooth extractions can cost up to $500 per tooth. A procedure where all four wisdom teeth are extracted at once costs approximately $2322. At Woonona Dentists, our Fees for Wisdom tooth removal range from $350 – $500 per tooth depending upon the complexity.
In the event that you do require general anaesthetic, your cost is likely to increase to between $1500 and $3000 per tooth.
Similarly finder.com.au states that an average wisdom tooth extraction under local anaesthetic costs in the region of $150 to $200 per tooth, increasing to up to $400 per tooth for more complex cases.
In the majority of cases general anaesthetic is not required, because most wisdom tooth extractions can be performed in the chair. Some patients prefer sedation to help them relax. If you think that you would like your extraction to be performed under sedation, please let us know when booking your appointment.
What Factors Influence Your Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
Each dental practitioner sets their own fees for extractions but your particular circumstances will have direct bearing on your total cost.
Your wisdom tooth extraction cost will factor in:
The complexity of your extraction
How difficult is the site to get to? How big is the tooth and how long will it take your dental practitioner to remove it?
Do you have any health insurance cover?
Any cover by your health insurer will reduce the out of pocket costs you can expect to pay.
Your location
Dentists in high density areas have more competition and thus usually charge slightly lower rates than those in exclusive areas or offering exclusive services.
IV or conscious sedation
The fees for IV sedation range from $650 – $900. If you would like to be sedated during the procedure, this will also influence the cost of your wisdom tooth extraction. Some patients prefer to be sedated if they are removing all of their wisdom teeth at once.
What Can You Expect From The Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure?
In the majority of straightforward cases, you will be administered a local anaesthetic, and your dentist will make an incision into the gum to reach the bone and pull the tooth. Sometimes there is bone blocking the tooth root or the tooth has to be cut into smaller pieces before it can be removed.
Afterwards the site will be cleaned and you will be given some gauze to bite down onto until the blood clot forms.
Will Health Insurance Cover My Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
Wisdom tooth extractions are considered major dental procedures and are thus usually only covered by policies that have high levels of extras cover. For the most part, health policies tend to cover only general dentistry.
Why Should You Have Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Not all wisdom teeth are troublesome, and those that do not present with problems will not be extracted at Woonona Dentists. If your wisdom teeth are impacted or growing crooked, they are more prone to infection and decay because they are more difficult to keep clean. They can also cause jaw pain.
To find out more about wisdom teeth removal cost and when you can book an appointment please contact our practice: (02) 4210 9078.
