How Much Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Cost in Albuquerque?

One of the most common reasons to see an oral surgeon is for wisdom tooth extraction. Most people get their wisdom teeth, or third molars, in their late teens or early twenties. Sometimes there’s enough room for them to fully erupt with no complications; other times, they only partially emerge. This difference is reflected in the time, complexity, and cost of oral surgery for wisdom teeth.

Extracting wisdom teeth that are fully erupted is a simple procedure that can even be done with only local anesthesia or a combination of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide. A tool is used to loosen the wisdom teeth from the jaw, then forceps are used to extract them. Although performed by oral surgeons, this type of extraction is technically not a surgery.

The cost of extracting wisdom teeth that have fully emerged from the gum tissue ranges between $75 and $200 per tooth, depending on the type of anesthesia and sedation you choose. All or most of this cost is typically covered by dental insurance.

If your wisdom teeth have erupted without causing any pain or issues, you may choose not to have them extracted, but there are still reasons you might consider getting them removed. Wisdom teeth are more prone to decay and gum disease thanks to their location at the back of the mouth; because they are more difficult to remove the longer they’re in place, many patients decide to have them extracted shortly after they erupt when there are fewer risks and complications.

Wisdom teeth that are impacted are either completely trapped in the jawbone or only erupt partially, usually at an angle. This can cause other teeth in the mouth to shift and leave you vulnerable to complications like infection, headaches, gum disease, decay, and even cysts. 

Removing impacted wisdom teeth is a surgical procedure, as an incision is made into the gums and sometimes a small amount of bone needs to be removed in order to access the root of the tooth. Because these procedures are more complicated, IV sedation is used to allow you to sleep through the surgery. For this reason, extracting impacted wisdom teeth costs more—usually at least $800 more than a simple extraction. As with wisdom teeth that have fully erupted, this cost varies depending on the type of anesthesia and sedation used. Although we usually use IV sedation for this type of wisdom tooth extraction, if you have medical issues that necessitate either a more mild form of anesthesia or general anesthesia in a hospital setting, your costs could be much less or significantly more.

Since removing impacted wisdom teeth is an oral surgery, it is often covered by both dental and medical insurance. Our billing department will help coordinate with your insurance carriers and provide you with an estimate of the amount each will cover for your wisdom tooth extraction.

Whether your wisdom teeth have fully erupted or are impacted, it’s important to have them examined to assess whether they need to be removed. To schedule a consultation and learn more about the costs involved in wisdom tooth extraction, contact us today at 505-821-2111.