Thinking about getting your wisdom teeth out but not sure what it’ll cost? Most people are in the same boat. Knowing what to expect with pricing helps you plan without any nasty surprises.
We’ll walk you through how much it costs to remove wisdom teeth in Australia, why prices differ, and ways to make it fit your budget.
What Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost?
Prices change based on your situation. Here’s what most Australians end up paying:
|
Type of Extraction |
Cost Range (Per Tooth) | Anaesthetic Used |
|
Simple Extraction |
$120 to $300 |
Local anaesthetic |
|
Surgical Extraction (Impacted) |
$350 to $1,200 |
Local or sedation |
|
All Four Teeth with Sedation |
$2,000 to $30,500 |
IV sedation |
| Hospital with General Anaesthetic | $1,500 to $4,000+ |
General anaesthetic |
Keep in mind these are rough estimates. What you actually pay comes down to a few different things.
What Makes the Price Go Up or Down?
A few things will change what you end up paying:
Where Your Tooth Is Sitting
If your tooth has already come through and is sitting straight, taking it out is pretty straightforward. But when wisdom teeth are stuck under the gum or growing in weird directions, that’s when you need proper surgery, and it takes more work.
How Many You’re Getting Out
One tooth obviously costs less than doing all four. But here’s something good – lots of dentists will give you a better price if you’re getting a few done at once.
What They Use to Numb You
Local Anaesthetic: Just numbs your mouth. You’re awake the whole time but don’t feel anything. This is what most people get and it’s the cheapest way to go. Some clinics use digital injection systems that make it even more comfortable.
Sedation: Makes you really relaxed and drowsy. Good if you get anxious at the dentist.
General Anaesthetic: You’re completely out. Usually done in a hospital when you’re getting all four out or the teeth are really complicated.
Where You Go
Your regular dentist will charge less than seeing a specialist oral surgeon. Hospitals cost the most because you’re paying for the facility and the anaesthetist too. And yeah, city dentists generally charge more than ones out in regional areas.
Who’s Doing It
Your regular dentist can handle the easy ones. Oral surgeons handle the tricky stuff. Specialists cost more, but when your teeth are being difficult, you want someone who knows what they’re doing.
Will Medicare Cover It?
No. Medicare doesn’t cover dental stuff, including wisdom teeth. You’ll either need to pay yourself or use private health insurance.
The only time Medicare might help is if you end up in the hospital for something else medically serious and they take your wisdom teeth out while you’re there. But that’s pretty rare.
What About Health Insurance?
If you’ve got extras cover with dental included, you might get some money back on:
- What the dentist or surgeon charges
- Anaesthetic costs
- Hospital fees if you need them
How much you get back depends on your level of cover and if you’ve done your waiting periods. Most times you’ll still have a gap to pay though.
Worth knowing: Ring your health fund before you book anything. Check what they’ll cover and if you’ve hit your annual limit.
Other Ways to Pay
Payment Plans
Heaps of dental clinics let you pay it off over a few months instead of all at once. Makes it way easier if you don’t have the cash sitting there.
Using Your Super Early
Sometimes you can tap into your super to pay for dental work. You need to tick a few boxes though:
- You’re in real pain from your teeth
- You genuinely can’t afford it
- Your dentist writes a letter saying you need the treatment
You apply through the ATO. Not everyone qualifies, but if you’re really stuck financially, it’s an option.
Medical Finance Companies
There are companies out there that do financing just for health stuff. They often have interest-free periods, so they’re better than whacking it on a credit card.
Why Waiting Usually Costs You More
Leaving dodgy wisdom teeth alone often leads to bigger problems and bigger bills.
What can go wrong:
- Infections because food gets stuck around the tooth
- Your other teeth get damaged from crowding
- Cysts can form in your jawbone
- Decay starts and spreads to healthy teeth (sometimes needing dental crowns to fix the damage)
Something that could be a simple job now might turn into full-on surgery later. Also, if you’re younger, you’ll bounce back faster. Your bones are softer in your late teens and twenties, making everything easier.
Simple vs Surgical – What’s the Difference?
Knowing which type you need helps you understand what you’re in for.
Simple Extraction
This is when your wisdom tooth is already through the gum and sitting there like a normal tooth. The dentist numbs you up, wiggles it loose, and takes it out. Pretty straightforward stuff that your regular dentist can do, similar to a standard tooth extraction.
Getting better: Most people are fine after a couple of days.
Surgical Extraction
This is when your tooth hasn’t come through properly or is growing sideways. The dentist or oral surgeon cuts into your gum, maybe takes out a bit of bone, and sometimes breaks the tooth up to get it out easier.
Getting better: You’ll want to take it easy for about a week.
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Your dentist will have a look in your mouth and take some X-rays to see what’s going on with your wisdom teeth. From there, they’ll tell you if they need to come out and what your options are.
Good questions to ask:
- How much does it cost to remove wisdom teeth at your clinic?
- Can I pay it off?
- What kind of numbing do I need?
- How long until I’m back to normal?
- What happens if I just leave them?
How to Keep Costs Down
Ring around a few places and get quotes. Just make sure you’re comparing apples with apples.
Ask if they do deals for multiple teeth. Often works out cheaper than doing them one by one.
Know what your insurance covers before you book. Some insurers have deals with certain dentists that save you money.
Time it right if you’ve got annual limits on your insurance. Book early in the year so you’ve got your full amount to use.
Don’t Forget Recovery Costs
After you get it done, you’ll need a few things:
- Painkillers
- Antibiotics if the dentist gives you some
- Special mouthwash
- Soft food for a few days (think ice cream and mashed potatoes)
- A few days off work (anywhere from 2 to 7 days, depending on how it goes)
If You Are in Brisbane Choose Najmi Dental
Look, we get that dental bills can stress you out. That’s why we’re straight up about what things cost and we’ll work with you to find a payment plan that suits you.
Our team at Najmi Dental does everything from easy extractions to the complicated surgical ones. We’ll explain what needs doing, answer whatever questions you’ve got, and make sure you’re comfortable the whole way through.
Got wisdom tooth pain? Not sure if they need to come out? Give us a call. We’ll investigate the situation, discuss your options, and assist you in determining the best course of action.
