Buying oral surgery without insurance can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know what to expect. You want to make sure you’re getting the best price and care possible. But how much should oral surgery cost? How much is it with insurance? What do you need to know about the different types of oral surgery procedures?

Oral surgery can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re thinking about getting oral surgery without insurance, or just want to know what your options are, here’s a breakdown of what the cost is likely to be.

Oral surgery is a procedure that involves the mouth, jaw, teeth and gums. This surgery can be done to treat conditions such as tooth decay and infection. It can also be used to remove wisdom teeth, reshape or realign jaws or correct other oral problems.

How Much is Oral Surgery Without Insurance

Tooth extractions, including ones involving infection, periodontal disease and crowding issues, are one of the most common dental procedures. An estimated 10 million wisdom teeth are extracted from children and adults in the U.S. each year.

The cost of tooth extraction without dental insurance can be expensive, but the exact cost depends on the type of extraction and the number of teeth pulled, among other things.

How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost Without Insurance?

Dental insurance generally covers extractions if they’re medically necessary, but tooth extractions can be pricey if you don’t have insurance. The exact cost of a tooth removal procedure depends on a few factors, including the type of extraction required and the number of teeth that need to be pulled.

Here are the most common types of extractions and the average cost.

Simple extraction

Simple extractions are generally the cheapest extraction procedure, ranging from $75 to $250 per tooth.

Simple extractions are the easiest to perform. If a tooth is fully erupted and not impacted, the dentist can loosen the tooth and remove it without surgical intervention.

Surgical extraction

Surgical extractions can cost anywhere from $180 to $550 per tooth.

Surgical extractions are used to remove teeth that are severely decayed and can’t be easily removed in one piece or teeth that are partially or fully impacted. These procedures are longer and more complicated, which is why surgical extractions are more expensive than simple extractions.

Wisdom tooth surgery

The cost of wisdom tooth removal can be $120 to $800 per tooth.
Wisdom tooth extraction is often a surgical procedure, especially when the third molars are partially or fully impacted. It can also be expensive, as most people are born with multiple wisdom teeth and oral surgeons charge per tooth.

The cost of wisdom teeth surgery depends on many factors, including whether anesthesia is necessary.

Average costs for tooth extraction

How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost with Insurance?

If you have dental insurance that has more than preventive care, tooth extraction procedures are typically covered if they’re deemed medically necessary by a dentist or oral surgeon. The amount covered depends on the type of procedure and your specific plan details.

Dental insurance plans that cover basic procedures, including extractions, pay at different percentages based on the individual plan. You may have a policy that may pay 50% or you could find a plan that pays 80% for basic care. If your dental plan pays 80% for basic care, you would pay the remaining 20%.

Let’s look at how this translates to actual extraction procedures. Imagine you are getting wisdom teeth surgery with three partially impacted teeth, which will cost $1,500 before insurance. If your plan covers surgical extractions at 80%, you will have to pay $300 if you’ve exceeded your plan’s deductible.

Now imagine you only have one wisdom tooth that needs to be removed and it’s completely erupted. In this case, it’s a simple extraction, which may only cost $200. Your dental insurance plan would cover $160 and you pay the remaining $40 out-of-pocket.

It’s also possible that your health insurance will cover a portion of a tooth extraction procedure. This can further reduce the amount you have to pay. If you have health insurance, contact your insurer to see if oral surgery is covered under your plan.

Other costs associated with a tooth extraction

If you want to know how much a tooth extraction costs, you have to look beyond the cost of the procedure itself. When you have a tooth removed, there are typically other costs that you have to pay. Some of these costs include:

• Consultation: Before a tooth extraction, you will likely have a consultation with a dentist or oral surgeon. The cost of the consultation is usually billed separately from the procedure, which costs $114 on average.
• X-rays: The oral surgeon will likely order a panoramic X-ray to get a better look at your teeth and jaw before the extraction. Panoramic X-rays cost $125 on average, your dental plan may cover the cost in full.
• Anesthesia: Tooth extractions often require some form of anesthesia, whether it’s nitrous oxide (laughing gas), local anesthesia or IV sedation. If anesthesia is considered medically necessary, it’s usually covered by dental insurance. If you don’t have insurance, the average costs of anesthesia are $53 for local anesthesia, $76 for nitrous oxide and $232 per 15-minute increment for IV sedation.
• Medication: You might need certain medications to prevent infection after a tooth extraction procedure, like prescription painkillers or antibiotics. These medications may be covered partially by insurance, depending on your plan. On average, these medications cost around $30.
• Follow-up appointment: If you need to visit the dentist or oral surgeon for a follow-up appointment, there may be additional costs during a follow-up appointment.

Dental Insurance That Covers Tooth Extractions

Most dental insurance plans cover tooth extraction. The catch is that plans cover extractions at a different rates of reimbursement. Here are examples of few dental insurance plans that cover tooth extraction

Is There Tooth Extraction Insurance with No Waiting Period?

Dental insurance plans may have a waiting period before you can use your benefits for certain procedures. For example, you might have to wait six months before your plan will cover non-surgical extractions.

But it’s possible to get tooth extraction insurance without a waiting period, such as those listed in the table above. Group dental insurance plans that are purchased through your employer may have no-waiting-period options.

If you recently switched insurance providers, see if the new insurer will make an exception. In some cases, the waiting period can be waived if you have had dental insurance consecutively for the past 12 months.

How to Get a Tooth Removed Without Insurance

If you need to have a tooth removed and you don’t have dental insurance, you have a few options to potentially reduce the cost of a tooth extraction:

• Go to a local dental school: If you live near a university with a dental school, you might be able to receive discounted care from a dental student. Many dental schools have clinics where trained dental students see patients and are supervised by licensed dental professionals or oral surgeons.
• Set up a payment plan: Most dental or oral surgery offices can set up a payment plan, where you pay off the cost of your treatment over a longer period of time. If you know you’re going to need financial assistance, inquire about a payment plan before your procedure.
• Apply to the Dental Lifeline network: The Dental Lifeline network provides free or discounted dental care for low-income and disabled individuals. Dental services are provided by dental professionals who volunteer their time. Not all dental procedures are covered, though.
• See if you qualify for Medicaid: If you qualify for Medicaid in your state, you might be able to get dental benefits included with your plan. Medicaid dental benefits vary based on location, but most states provide some coverage for dental emergencies.

Will a Dentist Pull a Tooth on the First Visit?

It’s unlikely that a dentist will pull a tooth on your first visit. In most cases, a consultation is required, which allows the dentist or surgeon to determine what type of extraction is needed, whether an infection is present and whether the procedure requires anesthesia. The provider will also need to take x-rays to get a closer look at your teeth and jaw.

After the consultation, you will be booked for the procedure. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, the dentist or surgeon will try to book you as soon as possible. Many dental offices have emergency appointments available after hours for urgent situations.

Is Anesthesia Covered by Dental Insurance?

Yes, anesthesia is typically covered by dental insurance, but only if it’s considered medically necessary to the procedure. For example, your dental insurance plan would likely cover IV sedation if you needed four fully impacted wisdom teeth removed. But IV sedation may not be covered for a simple extraction, where only local anesthesia is medically necessary.

Tooth Extraction Cost

Why are Teeth Extracted?

Tooth extractions are needed for many different reasons. They can:

• Remove wisdom teeth
• Extract cavities
• Treat advanced gum disease
• Resolve an impacted tooth
• Prepare the teeth for orthodontic treatment.^4.

The average cost of a simple tooth extraction varies depending on your insurance and the procedure requirements.

Your dentist might tell you a dental extraction is optional. However, neglecting treatment can lead to other issues, such as:

• Oral diseases
• Chewing problems
• Jaw issues
• Shifting teeth ca

How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost?

The cost of the procedure depends on the type of extraction needed.

The average price of a simple extraction without insurance ranges from $75 to $250 per tooth.

Surgical extractions, such as wisdom teeth extraction, can cost $300 or more.

Extractions of impacted teeth, which are stuck below the gums’ surface, are more expensive. They can cost anywhere between $350 to $550.

Local Anesthetic and Sedation Fees

If a local anesthetic is needed for your procedure, it’s likely already included in the total cost of the extraction.

Someone may ask for anesthesia or sedation to help them calm down before an extraction. In this case, your insurance company will consider it nonessential and refuse to cover it.

If you ask for nitrous oxide, you can expect to pay between $50 and $60 per half-hour of use without the help of insurance. General anesthesia for oral surgeries starts at around $250 per hour out-of-pocket. 

Unfortunately, without insurance coverage, you’ll pay the entire procedure cost. Some dentists offer payment plans.

Other Potential Fees

A few unfortunate hidden fees may affect how much you pay for your tooth extraction. The potential additional fees you may come across are:

• X-rays: These images, which help your dentist further analyze your teeth, can add about $200 to the cost.
• Dental exams: Before your extraction, you’ll need to visit the doctor for a preliminary exam. These often cost between $50 and $150 but can often exceed that range.
• Antibiotics and medications: You may be prescribed medication depending on your procedure. These costs vary greatly, but most generic medications start at $20.
• Follow-up appointments: You may be required to go to the dentist for a check-up after your extraction, which could mean another visit payment.

Cost of Tooth Extraction With Dental Insurance

Tooth extractions covered by dental insurance are less expensive.

Most medically necessary extractions will be covered. How much you pay varies based on your insurance plan and based on the cost of the extraction.

Depending on your insurance, you could pay anywhere from $26 to $145 for a simple extraction. Your dental insurance usually covers the costs of the following:

• Initial exams
• X-rays
• Anesthesia (local or general)
• Sutures
• Follow-up visits

Check with your dentist about what is covered under your insurance plan.

Other Ways To Pay For Treatment

A tooth extraction when you don’t have dental insurance can costly. Luckily, it is possible to find other ways of paying for tooth extractions without insurance.

If you need an extraction, consider:

Discount Dental Plans

Discount dental plans help you save money on tooth extraction. There are several discount dental plans available, most of which include:

• Discounts on dental services without monthly insurance premiums
• One low annual fee
• Access to a network of dentists offering reduced prices to discount dental plan members
• No approvals or application forms need

One of the most popular discount dental plans is offered through Dental Plans. Members enjoy 20 to 50 percent savings on dental care costs. There is no annual spending limit, and you pay one low yearly fee that lets you save on treatments throughout the year.

Government Services

Medicare or Medicaid covers tooth extraction when it’s medically necessary.

If you are a recipient of a Medicare Advantage plan, you will need to have the tooth removed performed by a dentist within the plan’s network.

Additionally, there might be other government-funded medical programs available in your area.

Dental School Services

Some dental schools offer services for less than you’d pay at a traditional dentist’s office. This allows student dentists an opportunity to practice under real-world circumstances.

Extractions are performed under the guidance of faculty dentists, and the average cost is about 60 to 70 percent less.