How Much Does Tooth Extraction Cost?

It never feels like a great time to have to pay for a tooth extraction poulsbo wa procedure. When you dentist tells you it is time to have your wisdom teeth out, it is best not to delay, even if the timing isn’t perfect for your finances. The first step to planning for your extraction procedure is doing a little research to get a good idea of how much the procedure is going to cost and starting to budget. Below are more details for you on the wisdom teeth extraction procedure and some information on the expected costs.

What Are wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth, or a third set of molars, are the last set of adult teeth to come in. Wisdom teeth usually come between the ages of 17 and 25. Due to evolution, the human mouth has changed overtime and become smaller. Today, wisdom teeth no longer serve an important purpose or fit in our mouth the way they were once intended to.

Why are wisdom teeth removed?

Once they come in, wisdom teeth can become problematic. For many adults, wisdom teeth increase the risk of infection, tooth decay, or other issues. For some, wisdom teeth can grow in fully and properly aligned, resulting in very few problems. Here are some of the issues caused by wisdom teeth that lead to them needing to be removed:

• Impacted or trapped wisdom teeth: sometimes wisdom teeth are trapped under the gums and bones. Impacted or partially impacted teeth can cause bacteria to develop around the tooth and may lead to infection.
• Frequent cavities: Because of their positioning deep in the mouth and their large size, wisdom teeth can be hard to keep clean. Overtime, cavities or teeth decay will develop.
• Shifting in alignment: One of the biggest issues with wisdom teeth coming in is the potential for shifting in the alignment of all teeth in the mouth. Wisdom teeth are large and often come in at an angle pushing against nearby teeth.

The Cost of Tooth Extraction

The costs of wisdom teeth extraction procedures can vary greatly from one surgery to the next. This is due to a number of factors that impact cost, including geographic region, expertise of the oral surgeon, and the amount of anesthesia required for the procedure. For example, if all teeth are fully erupted through the gums surface then the surgery will be relatively easy. An easy surgery means less time and less anesthesia needs which all result in lower costs. If the wisdom teeth are partially or fully impacted, the costs may be significantly higher. Generally, the cost of a tooth extraction can range anywhere between $100 and $400 per tooth.

Having your wisdom teeth removed will not impact the look or function of your smile, but will help you minimize your risk of future adverse complications. To help you budget for your future procedure you should start by having a conversation with your dentist or oral surgeon about the expected costs. Next, you should contact your dental insurance provider. The good news is that most insurance policies will help cover some or all of the costs of the extraction procedure.

More on Tooth Extraction : Wisdom Tooth Extraction Procedure