How much is wisdom teeth removal without insurance​

 The cost of wisdom teeth removal is often covered at least in part by health insurance companies.how much is wisdom teeth removal without insurance​.

A complicated extraction that requires surgery and general anesthesia. For example, may be covered by your health insurance.

9 Your health insurance will likely require prior authorization, and the exact amount covered will depend on your insurance.10

If your health insurance only covers part of the cost, your supplemental dental insurance may be able to help. To get a better idea of ​​what your costs will be, your dentist can request a cost estimate for the treatment from both health insurance companies.

And if your health insurance doesn’t cover anything, you may be able to get at least some of the cost covered by your supplemental dental insurance.9

Without insurance, wisdom teeth removal can be very expensive. If all four of your teeth are complicatedly impacted, the average cost* is $3,340, not including sedation.

7 In some locations, this can be even more expensive.7 Even with health and dental insurance, you may still have unpaid costs depending on your deductible, your dental insurance maximum payout, etc.

That’s why it’s so important to have an alternative financing method like the CareCredit credit card ready.

How is wisdom tooth removal performed?

Dental chair
Wisdom tooth removal can be performed in a dental office or by a dentist, depending on how complicated the removal is expected to be.5 The procedure usually takes about 90 minutes.1

Preparation
You should discuss any concerns you may have with your dentist before the procedure. He or she will give you preoperative instructions to follow carefully, including:3

Make sure you have someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

Don’t eat or drink anything for six hours beforehand.

See all prescriptions.

Buy soft foods that you can eat for a few days (good options include mashed bananas or avocados, yogurt, soups such as tomato or pumpkin soup, smoothies, scrambled eggs, and porridge).11

Prepare ice packs for swelling and bruising.11

Procedures
On the day of your surgery, one of three types of anesthetic is usually used:12

local anesthesia. This is similar to what is given when you have a dental filling.5 You may also be given nitrous oxide to help you relax, but you will remain awake.

sedation. You may be given an infusion to help you relax.

general anesthesia. This will result in you being unconscious or conscious during the procedure.

Minor bruising or dry lips

Mild earache, muscle stiffness, or sore throat for a few days

Mild swelling and discomfort that should only last a few days

As with any surgery, potential problems can occur. These can be reduced if you follow all post-operative instructions from your dentist. Possible rare complications include:17

To extract the tooth, the dentist will:13

Make an incision in the gum before the tooth has erupted.

Remove the tooth, which may first require cutting it into pieces.

If necessary, the gums will be stitched, usually with dissolvable sutures. Alternatively, your dentist may remove the stitches after one to two weeks.14

Place gauze over the extraction site to stop the bleeding and allow a clot to form.

Recovery
After a typical procedure, you should be able to return to work or school within two to three days and resume your normal activities after two weeks. However, if your job is physically demanding, your dentist may recommend a longer recovery period.11

What to expect during recovery:11

You may experience some slight bleeding or oozing for the first 24 hours. To minimize swelling, you may need to hold a gauze pad over the extraction site or place a cold compress on your face.

On the second and third days, your pain may subside. You may need a cold compress to reduce swelling.

On days four to seven, you can keep your wounds clean by gently rinsing them with warm salt water. If you have non-dissolving stitches, your dentist may need to remove them.

By the second week, superficial wounds will have healed, but full healing of deeper tissues and bones may take several months.

Tips for recovering from wisdom tooth removal
Try these tips during your recovery:15

Hold an ice pack in front of your face
No smoking.5

Don’t drink alcohol or carbonated drinks.

If your teeth aren’t sensitive to cold, drink cold water to stay hydrated and reduce swelling.

Don’t use straws, as they can dislodge important blood clots and cause a painful dry socket.

For pain, you’ll probably only need ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, if you need a prescription pain reliever, talk to your dentist.11

To speed healing, eat cold or room temperature foods for the first 24 hours. Spicy foods can potentially interfere with the formation of blood clots, which are important for healing.

For the first two to three days, eat only soft foods and liquids and avoid spicy foods or anything that may irritate the wounds.11