When you start to feel the pain in your jaw from your third set of molars, you do not have to feel the pain from huge dental bills for their removal.  A little planning will help you plan and budget for your upcoming dental procedure, but there are a number of factors that influence the price.

The most important factor that influences the cost of removing your wisdom tooth is its position in your jaw.  The teeth can be erupted, impacted in soft tissue, partially impacted in bone and fully impacted in bone. If the tooth is above the gum line, or erupted, and slightly visible, the tooth is easier for the dentist to access.  If the tooth is below the gum line and below the jaw bone, or fully impacted in bone, the dentist will need to take more time and care to remove the tooth. Also, depending on the location of the tooth, the dentist may need to complete associated procedures before the dentist can address your teeth.  The additional procedure or procedures and the deeper the location of the tooth, the higher the cost per tooth for the extraction.

The next consideration for your budget is the sedation or anesthesia that your dentist uses to help keep you comfortable during the extraction.  If your teeth are fully impacted in bone, the procedure is more complicated and will take longer, so the dentist may need to use a stronger medication.  Once the dentist determines the location of your teeth and the best type of extraction for you, the dentist will have a variety of medications to recommend for your treatment plan.  The dentist can offer a local numbing injection for less invasive procedures and general anesthesia for bony impacted teeth or for more nervous patients. The medications have different costs and the medications require different level of training and expertise to administer.

The final major factor affecting the cost of tooth extraction is your location in the US.  People who live closer to the East Coast or the West Coast will pay more.  People who live in cities will pay more than people who live in suburbs or more rural areas.  If you find that the cost of your tooth removal is higher than you expected, consider travelling for your extraction.  Don’t forget to add in the cost of travel to your final bill.

While your wisdom tooth removal can cost between $200 and $1,100 for a number of reasons, one thing will remain consistent: if you do not address your dental concerns while they are starting, they will get worse and cost you more money in the long run.  Some dental insurance plans will cover the tooth extraction or part of the procedure and in some cases, your health insurance may cover a portion of the extraction as wel.  Be sure to take time to call your company about their coverage, talk to the office staff about average costs and payment plan options, and take the opportunity to give yourself a healthier mouth for years to come.

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