How much is a wisdom tooth extraction? Let’s break down the costs to pull a tooth
2/5/2022
If you’re dealing with painful wisdom teeth (or any troublesome teeth for that matter), you’re likely thinking something along the lines of: ‘Aghh! Get these things out of my mouth!’
And with good reason. Painful teeth can be unbearable. So, it’s no wonder that one of the most common questions we hear at our Gregory Hills and Moss Vale dental practices is: How much is a wisdom tooth extraction?
The cost of any tooth extraction — whether it’s for wisdom tooth removal or treating other issues such as decay or gum disease— will depend on a number of factors, such as the location of the tooth, the complexity of the procedure and whether it requires a simple or surgical extraction.
Let’s dive into how much a tooth extraction costs, why tooth extractions are needed and what to expect from this procedure.
How much does tooth extraction cost?
Tooth extraction costs in Australia can range from $75 to $3,000.
Now, you may be thinking that sounds like quite a large ballpark price range. But the truth is that the cost to pull a tooth (or teeth) can vary greatly depending on a number of key factors, such as:
- The type of tooth extraction (simple extraction or surgical extraction)
- The location of the affected tooth or teeth
- The severity and complexity of the case
- The anaesthesia required and anaesthetist fees
- Whether treatment is carried out by your dentist or by an oral surgeon in hospital
At Green Door Dental, the cost of wisdom tooth extraction varies depending on the location of the tooth and the complexity of the case. Below, you’ll find a handy table outlining how much wisdom tooth removal costs.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction – Upper Teeth
$290 to $400 per tooth*
Wisdom Tooth Extraction – Lower Teeth
$600 to $700 per tooth*
All Wisdom Teeth Removal
Capped at $1,950
* Price depends on the complexity of the case.
Want to know more about our dental treatment fees? You can download our full price list below.
There are many factors that can impact the cost to pull a tooth. Want to know the best way to determine exactly how much your tooth extraction will cost? Come in and see us! We will outline all the fees involved in your personalised treatment plan.
Simple tooth extraction cost vs. surgical tooth extraction cost
One of the main factors that will determine the cost of your wisdom tooth extraction is whether you need a simple extraction or a surgical extraction. So, what’s the difference? Let’s take a look…
Simple extraction
The cost of simple tooth extraction in Australia is generally between $75 to $300 per tooth.
Put simply, this procedure involves the removal of teeth that are visible above the gums and held in soft tissue or within a small amount of bone.
Simple extractions can usually be performed by your dentist in the chair using local anaesthetic. However, if you’re feeling anxious about your tooth extraction, you can opt for twilight sedation to help ease your nerves and feel more comfortable during the procedure — we’ll discuss this in detail later in the blog. Keep in mind that the type of anaesthesia and sedation used will impact the overall cost of your procedure.
Since this procedure is less complex and less invasive than surgical extraction, it is typically less expensive.
Surgical extraction
Surgical tooth extraction costs in Australia can range from $250 up to $3,000, depending on the type of anaesthesia required, the complexity of the procedure and whether it must be carried out in hospital by an oral surgeon.
This type of extraction is used for more complex cases where the tooth is impacted, broken or below the surface of the gum line or bone line. Surgical extraction is usually required for impacted wisdom teeth.
Your dentist may perform the surgical extraction themselves or they may refer you to an oral surgeon to complete the procedure. During this procedure, you will be given both local anaesthetic to numb the affected area and IV anaesthesia or twilight sedation to help you feel comfortable and relaxed. In some cases, you may be required to go under general anaesthesia (GA), which means you will be unconscious throughout the procedure.
Surgical extraction is generally more costly because it is more complex, takes more time and may require GA.
The cost of wisdom tooth extraction will vary depending on the type of extraction required (simple or surgical), the location of the tooth and the complexity of the case. Your dentist will determine which type of extraction you need at your consultation.
Of course, the best way to determine exactly how much your tooth extraction will cost is to book an appointment with us. During your consultation, we will assess your individual case and develop a personalised treatment plan, clearly outlining all of your expected costs. You won’t find any hidden fees behind this door!
Wisdom teeth giving you grief?
Book your check-up online now or download our New Patient Guide for our full treatment price list, including the cost of wisdom tooth removal.
Medicare generally doesn’t cover the cost of most dental services, including tooth extractions. However, there are some circumstances where Medicare will pay for essential dental services for children or adults who are eligible, such as:
- Public dental services: This may include emergency dental services or referrals to specialist services like orthodontics in hospital and adult patients are generally required to hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card to be eligible.
- Concession Card holders: This includes Health Care Cards, Pensioner Concession Cards and Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards.
- Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CBDS): This covers 'basic' dental procedures up to the value of $1,000 over two years for eligible children — you can learn more about the CDBS here.
Does private health insurance cover tooth extractions?
Depending on the level of coverage in your private health insurance policy, you may be eligible to claim a rebate towards the cost of your tooth extraction. Contact your insurer directly to determine whether they cover your specific procedure, how much they will cover and how much your out-of-pocket costs will be.
Just joined your health fund? Remember to check your waiting period!
If you’ve only recently started your health insurance policy, you may need to undertake a waiting period of up to 12 months before you can claim on dental work. Contact your insurer to confirm if any waiting periods apply to you.
Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t worry!
At Green Door Dental, we offer a range of flexible finance options so you can get the treatment you need, as soon as you need it — without the need to break the bank! With our tailored payment plans, you can pay for your tooth extraction in comfortable instalments over time. Plus, you’ll always know exactly how much your treatment will cost with our clear, upfront fees. No bill shock here!
Worried about whether you can afford the cost of a tooth extraction? Don’t be! With our flexible finance options, you can get the treatment you need now and pay for it in comfortable instalments.
Now that we’ve covered the costs, let’s look at why tooth extractions may be needed in the first place.
Tooth extractions are typically seen as a ‘last resort’ procedure. This is because our number one priority as dentists is to save the natural tooth wherever possible. But there are cases where the affected tooth cannot be saved or restored with other treatments and the surrounding teeth and gums may be compromised. This is when a dental extraction becomes the best course of action.
The most common reasons for tooth extraction include:
Did you know tooth extractions are often seen as a ‘last resort’ procedure? Your dentist may recommend alternative treatments to save your tooth, instead of pulling it.
What are the alternatives to tooth extraction?
As we said above, saving the natural tooth will always be our first priority. This is because removing a tooth can cause your other teeth to shift and misalign your bite, resulting in issues with chewing or more complicated problems like TMJ. So, if there’s a chance the affected tooth can be successfully restored with alternative treatments, that will be step number one.
There are a few alternative treatments your dentist may recommend to restore your affected tooth instead of pulling it. The most common alternatives to tooth extraction include:
During a tooth extraction, you will receive a local anaesthetic to numb the area around the affected tooth. This means you’ll only feel pressure — not pain — during the procedure. If you also receive IV sedation or general anaesthetic (GA), your level of awareness of this pressure will be significantly subdued or non-existent with GA.
Will I be awake during my tooth extraction?
For a simple tooth extraction, you may only receive a local anaesthetic. This means you won’t feel any pain but you will be awake and aware of what is happening throughout your treatment.
If the thought of being awake during your wisdom tooth removal is making you feel a little nervous, never fear! Did you know it’s possible to get your tooth pulled… without really ‘being there’?
Yep, you read that right.
At Green Door Dental, we offer sleep dentistry (also called sedation dentistry) for dental extractions, including simple tooth extractions, surgical tooth extractions and wisdom tooth removal. This means you can drift off into a calm, sleep-like state while we gently remove the teeth that are giving you grief.
Feeling anxious about your wisdom tooth extraction? Fear not! With our sleep dentistry options, you’ll drift off into a peaceful, dream-like state while we gently remove your wisdom teeth.
One of our sedation dentistry options is IV sedation (also known as twilight sedation). This will put you into a completely relaxed and drowsy state, but you will remain conscious and responsive throughout your procedure. IV sedation is normally used during surgical tooth extractions but it can also be used during a simple tooth extraction. It’s a great option for patients who are feeling severely anxious or scared about their tooth removal procedure.
If you require a surgical tooth extraction, you’ll receive both local anaesthetic, as well as IV sedation or GA, depending on what is recommended by your dentist or oral surgeon. With GA, you will be completely unconscious for the duration of the procedure and it may take a few hours for you to become fully responsive again after treatment.
How does the type of anaesthesia affect the cost of tooth extraction?
It’s important to note that the type of anaesthesia required for your treatment will affect your overall tooth extraction cost. GA is more expensive and must be administered in hospital, while IV sedation costs less and can be administered outside of a hospital at your dental clinic. If you only require local anaesthesia for your procedure, this will be the least expensive option.
Remember, the type of sedation or anaesthesia used in your procedure will affect the overall cost of your tooth extraction. These fees will be clearly outlined in your personalised treatment plan so you’ll know exactly how much your tooth extraction costs from the outset.
How long does it take to recover after a tooth extraction?
After your wisdom tooth removal or other tooth extraction, you may experience some pain, discomfort and swelling in your mouth, jaw and cheeks for around 2 to 3 days. The soft tissues of your gums will usually take around 2-3 weeks to heal. Your dentist or oral surgeon will advise you on the correct aftercare for your dental extraction. It’s important that you follow their instructions carefully to ensure you heal properly and avoid infection.
Want to make your tooth extraction recovery as comfortable as possible? Here are our top tips on a smooth recovery:
Manage pain with OTC medication
Your dentist or oral surgeon will recommend the best over-the-counter (OTC) medication to help you manage any pain. Only take the correct dosage as advised by your dentist or oral surgeon. If your pain persists or gets worse, contact your dentist.
Reduce swelling with an icepack
Wrap a towel around an icepack and gently apply it to the outside of your cheek on the side of the tooth extraction. Do this for around 10 minutes at a time to help reduce swelling.
Rest, rest and more rest!
It’s essential that you rest and relax for a few days after your treatment to give your body the best chance to heal. Resist the urge to dive straight back into your normal routine (even if you *think* you feel fine) — put your feet up, put on your fave Netflix series and take it easy. Be sure to prop your head up with a pillow when you lie down to help reduce swelling and promote blood clotting at the extraction site.
Soft foods are your friends
After your procedure, eat only soft, easy-to-swallow foods like yoghurt, smoothies, applesauce or cooled soup. Avoid any foods that are hot, crunchy or chewy for a few days while you heal. Also, avoid drinking through a straw for the first 24 hours after treatment as sucking may hurt and irritate your extraction site.
Keep your mouth and teeth clean
You can brush and floss your teeth after your tooth extraction but be very careful and avoid the extraction site. You should also avoid rinsing your mouth for 24 hours after the procedure and only spit gently. After 24 hours, you can gently rinse your mouth with a saltwater mouthwash made by mixing ½ teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water.
Know when to seek help
If you are experiencing severe pain that doesn’t go away after a few days, excessive bleeding or pus at the extraction site, or have a fever, contact your dentist immediately. This may be a sign of infection which must be treated ASAP.
It’s important that you take extra special care of your teeth and mouth after your dental extraction to avoid infection and ensure a smooth recovery process. Be sure to follow all the aftercare advice from your dentist or oral surgeon and you’ll be smiling again in no time!
Are tooth extractions safe?
The short answer is yes. Dental extractions are generally very safe procedures when performed by a qualified dentist or oral surgeon.
As with any medical procedure, there are a few risks that come with tooth extractions or wisdom tooth removal. But remember, if your dentist has recommended the procedure, it’s likely the best option to avoid further risks or oral health complications down the line.
What is a dry socket?
A dry socket is the most common complication of dental extractions. This happens when the blood clot at the extraction site does not form or dislodges, exposing the bone inside the socket or hole where the tooth was. A dry socket can cause severe, throbbing pain which usually starts a few days after the tooth extraction. The good news is that a dry socket is completely treatable and rarely results in further complications if treated immediately. Your dentist will put a sedative dressing over the area for a few days to protect it and allow a new clot to form.
Common side effects after tooth extraction
After a dental extraction, it’s normal to experience any of the following:
- Some pain and discomfort
- Some bleeding
- Swelling and bruising of the cheeks
- Inflammation in the mouth and gums
These symptoms will usually subside after a few days. However, if any of these symptoms get worse, or if you experience excessive bleeding, discharge at the extraction site, and fever or chills, contact your dentist immediately.
Got a question about the cost of tooth extractions?
If you’ve got any questions about the cost of tooth extractions, wisdom tooth removal or what to expect from this procedure, just ask! Give us a call or send us a message — we’re always here to help.
