How Much Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Cost?
Wisdom tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove one or more impacted or problematic third molars. The procedure may involve incision, bone removal, and stitches depending on the tooth's position.
Without Insurance
$600
With Insurance
$150
Medicare
$0
National Average
$450
By Elena Bellini, MPH, Health Policy & Management · Last reviewed 2026-04-21 ·
Sources: American Dental Association Survey of Dental Fees 2025 · Methodology · Editorial standards Overview
Wisdom tooth (third molar) extraction removes one or more third molars that are impacted, infected, crowding adjacent teeth, or at risk of problems. It is most commonly performed on teenagers and young adults, usually by an oral surgeon, and frequently all four third molars are removed in a single visit. Each tooth is billed with its own CPT/CDT code based on the level of impaction: soft-tissue impaction (simplest), partial bony impaction, full bony impaction, or full bony with unusual complication (most complex and most expensive). The procedure takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on case complexity. Anesthesia choice drives a substantial portion of the total — IV sedation or general anesthesia is common for four-tooth extractions and is billed by anesthesia time units. Recovery involves 3-7 days of swelling, pain, and a soft diet. Dry socket is the most common complication.
What affects the cost
- Impaction level: soft-tissue, partial bony, full bony, and complex full bony extractions are billed at progressively higher fees per tooth.
- Number of teeth: extracting all four is the most common scenario and the baseline; extracting fewer teeth in one visit reduces total cost modestly.
- Anesthesia type: local-only is cheapest; nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia each add progressively higher anesthesia fees.
- Provider type: oral surgeons typically charge more than general dentists, but complex impactions usually require a surgeon.
- Imaging: panoramic or cone-beam CT scans are usually needed for planning and billed separately.
- Bone graft or complication care: socket preservation or post-operative dry-socket treatment adds charges.
How to Save
- Ask whether only the problematic teeth need to come out rather than all four prophylactically.
- For simple impactions, a general dentist comfortable with the case may charge less than an oral surgeon.
- Consider local-plus-nitrous-oxide rather than IV sedation if the case is straightforward.
- Dental school oral surgery clinics offer significantly lower fees under supervised residents.
- Use your dental insurance's basic or major service benefit and pay any remainder with HSA or FSA pre-tax dollars.
- Get a pre-treatment estimate from the oral surgeon and your insurer so you know the patient share before scheduling.
Insurance and coverage notes
Dental PPO plans cover wisdom tooth extraction as a basic or major service, typically at 70-80% after deductible, subject to the annual benefit maximum. Medical insurance occasionally covers wisdom tooth extraction as a medical procedure when there is documented infection, cyst, or other medical indication — this is worth investigating since medical plans usually have much higher annual caps than dental plans. HMO dental plans cover extractions at a fixed copay. Medicare Advantage plans with a dental benefit may cover wisdom tooth extraction. Ask both your medical and dental carriers about crossover coverage. HSA and FSA can be used for the patient portion.
Data sources for this page
Cost figures on this page are compiled from the following sources, triangulated per the rules in our methodology:
- American Dental Association Survey of Dental Fees 2025 — primary CMS reference used as the Medicare-rate anchor.
- Hospital Price Transparency machine-readable files (HPT MRFs) from a sample of major hospitals in each state, per the federal Hospital Price Transparency rule.
- Transparency in Coverage payer in-network rate files for commercial-rate cross-validation.
- State All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) summaries where published (Colorado, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Maine, Utah, Vermont, Rhode Island, Washington, Oregon).
Last reviewed 2026-04-21. See editorial standards for our fact-checking process and correction policy.
Range: $432 to $828 · 50 states shown
Cost by State
| State | Without Insurance | With Insurance | Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $432 | $108 | $0 |
| Arkansas | $450 | $113 | $0 |
| West Virginia | $450 | $113 | $0 |
| Alabama | $468 | $117 | $0 |
| Oklahoma | $468 | $117 | $0 |
| Kentucky | $510 | $128 | $0 |
| Louisiana | $516 | $129 | $0 |
| Iowa | $528 | $132 | $0 |
| New Mexico | $528 | $132 | $0 |
| South Carolina | $528 | $132 | $0 |
| South Dakota | $528 | $132 | $0 |
| Kansas | $534 | $134 | $0 |
| North Dakota | $534 | $134 | $0 |
| Idaho | $540 | $135 | $0 |
| Nebraska | $540 | $135 | $0 |
| Tennessee | $540 | $135 | $0 |
| Indiana | $558 | $140 | $0 |
| Missouri | $558 | $140 | $0 |
| Utah | $558 | $140 | $0 |
| Wyoming | $558 | $140 | $0 |
| Georgia | $564 | $141 | $0 |
| North Carolina | $564 | $141 | $0 |
| Michigan | $570 | $143 | $0 |
| Montana | $570 | $143 | $0 |
| Arizona | $588 | $147 | $0 |
| Ohio | $588 | $147 | $0 |
| Wisconsin | $588 | $147 | $0 |
| Maine | $594 | $149 | $0 |
| Texas | $594 | $149 | $0 |
| Florida | $606 | $152 | $0 |
| Minnesota | $606 | $152 | $0 |
| Illinois | $618 | $155 | $0 |
| Pennsylvania | $618 | $155 | $0 |
| Delaware | $624 | $156 | $0 |
| Nevada | $624 | $156 | $0 |
| Vermont | $624 | $156 | $0 |
| Virginia | $624 | $156 | $0 |
| Colorado | $636 | $159 | $0 |
| New Hampshire | $636 | $159 | $0 |
| Oregon | $636 | $159 | $0 |
| Maryland | $660 | $165 | $0 |
| Rhode Island | $666 | $167 | $0 |
| Washington | $666 | $167 | $0 |
| Connecticut | $720 | $180 | $0 |
| New Jersey | $720 | $180 | $0 |
| California | $792 | $198 | $0 |
| Massachusetts | $798 | $200 | $0 |
| Alaska | $810 | $203 | $0 |
| New York | $810 | $203 | $0 |
| Hawaii | $828 | $207 | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does wisdom tooth extraction cost without insurance?
The average cost of wisdom tooth extraction without insurance in the United States is $600. Costs vary significantly by state.
Does insurance cover wisdom tooth extraction?
Most health insurance plans cover wisdom tooth extraction when medically necessary. With insurance, the average out-of-pocket cost is $150.
Does Medicare cover wisdom tooth extraction?
Medicare Part B typically covers wisdom tooth extraction when ordered by a doctor. The average Medicare-approved amount is $0.
Reviewed by Elena Bellini · Last reviewed: 2026-04-21
Data sourced from American Dental Association Survey of Dental Fees 2025. Last updated: 2026-03-01. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.