Wisdom teeth removal costs can vary depending on the procedure, where you're treated and whether or not you have health insurance:
| Treatment type | Cost range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Simple extractions at the dentist | $150 - $200+ per tooth | Less complex wisdom tooth extractions can usually be done "in the chair" at your dentist. |
| With local anaesthesia at the dentist | $300 - $400+ per tooth | If you need local anaesthetic, but the procedure can still be done in the chair, you'll pay extra. You may also be charged for additional consultations and X-rays. |
| Complex extractions in hospital | $2,000 - $3,000+ | Complex extraction of wisdom teeth sometimes require surgery in a hospital from an oral surgeon and general anaesthesia, which is significantly more expensive. |
| With extras insurance | $0 - $80+ per tooth | If your wisdom teeth removal procedure can be done by your dentist, extras insurance can help cover the costs. Depending on your policy, it may cover 60% - 100% of the cost. |
| With hospital insurance | $0 - $1,000+ | If you need hospital treatment, you'll need hospital cover with a dental surgery benefit – a silver-tier treatment. There may still be a gap to pay, depending on the details of the treatment. |
Both Medicare and private health insurance can pay for wisdom teeth removal, depending on a few different circumstances:
Medicare can only cover wisdom teeth removal on the rare occasion that you need to be treated in hospital – for example, if you require general anaesthesia due to the complexity of the case due to the position or shape of the roots. In this case, you'll be classed as an in-patient and Medicare can cover the MBS fees associated with your surgery.
Private health insurance can pay for wisdom teeth removal in and outside of hospital. Most removals are done "in the chair" at your dentist which extras cover can help pay for. If you need to be treated as an in-patient, all silver-tier hospital policies cover dental surgery.
If your procedure is done as an in-patient in a hospital and you're treated in a private hospital, you'll need hospital cover if you want to avoid large out-of-pocket expenses. It should be covered under dental surgery by all silver-tier hospital policies which cost around $115 per month.
It can pay for hospital accommodation, theatre fees and anaesthesia costs, which can only be covered by a hospital policy.
Wisdom tooth extractions completed in the chair can fall under extras or general treatment cover. This is known as outpatient treatment and it's where people most commonly will receive an extraction.
A mid-range extras policy can cover you for around $13 per week, though you'll usually have to serve a 12-month waiting period before you're covered, unless you get the Lifestyle Extras option from ahm which lists "tooth extraction" as a benefit in a routine dental limit and doesn't come with a waiting period.
If your procedure is looking like it may be in a hospital, the below options from Finder partners cover private hospital treatment. All have a 12-month waiting period. All prices are based on a single individual with less than $90,000 income and living in Sydney.
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How much you'll pay for wisdom teeth removal will depend on the:
The costs for dental vary depending on which state you live in and the level of treatment you require. The tables below show the average cost for dental procedures by state.
| Item number | Description | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 011 | Comprehensive oral examination | $58.25 |
| 012 | Periodic oral examination | $52.63 |
| 013 | Oral examination – limited | $46.22 |
| 014 | Consultation | $62.00 |
| 022 | Intraoral periapical or bitewing radiograph | $41.00 |
| 311 | Removal of tooth or part(s) thereof | $164.89 |
| Item number | Description | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 011 | Comprehensive oral examination | $59.10 |
| 012 | Periodic Oral Examination | $55.54 |
| 013 | Oral examination – limited | $49.31 |
| 014 | Consultation | $65.60 |
| 022 | Intraoral periapical or bitewing radiograph | $41.52 |
| 311 | Removal of tooth or part(s) thereof | $171.65 |
| Item number | Description | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 011 | Comprehensive oral examination | $58.79 |
| 012 | Periodic Oral Examination | $53.63 |
| 013 | Oral examination – limited | $47.75 |
| 014 | Consultation | $65.68 |
| 022 | Intraoral periapical or bitewing radiograph | $42.56 |
| 311 | Removal of tooth or part(s) thereof | $158.89 |
| Item number | Description | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 011 | Comprehensive oral examination | $61.88 |
| 012 | Periodic Oral Examination | $60.00 |
| 013 | Oral examination – limited | $49.13 |
| 014 | Consultation | $64.79 |
| 022 | Intraoral periapical or bitewing radiograph | $43.17 |
| 311 | Removal of tooth or part(s) thereof | $174.54 |
| Item number | Description | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 011 | Comprehensive oral examination | $56.60 |
| 012 | Periodic Oral Examination | $52.54 |
| 013 | Oral examination – limited | $49.14 |
| 014 | Consultation | $62.52 |
| 022 | Intraoral periapical or bitewing radiograph | $43.68 |
| 311 | Removal of tooth or part(s) thereof | $145.95 |
| Item number | Description | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 011 | Comprehensive oral examination | $59.91 |
| 012 | Periodic Oral Examination | $55.95 |
| 013 | Oral examination – limited | $49.17 |
| 014 | Consultation | $63.58 |
| 022 | Intraoral periapical or bitewing radiograph | $44.24 |
| 311 | Removal of tooth or part(s) thereof | $157.18 |
| Item number | Description | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 011 | Comprehensive oral examination | $68.89 |
| 012 | Periodic Oral Examination | $62.50 |
| 013 | Oral examination – limited | $57.47 |
| 014 | Consultation | $76.25 |
| 022 | Intraoral periapical or bitewing radiograph | $45.90 |
| 311 | Removal of tooth or part(s) thereof | $174.67 |
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