There are few experiences that over 85 percent of the American population share, but having wisdom teeth removed is one of them. The procedure has a long and storied history in the U.S., and at this point, it’s almost a coming of age ceremony.
Typically, the third set of molars begins to emerge between 17 and 25 years old. Initially, they may cause slight discomfort as they break through the gums, but usually, they do not present any further problems.
Of course, this only happens in less than 15 percent of cases. For the majority, our jaws are not spacious enough to accommodate four additional large teeth at the back. Consequently, they often grow in misaligned or, in more severe cases, impacted – growing against another tooth's side. This can lead to prolonged discomfort. Typically, the pain is intermittent, lasting for 1-2 days in waves as they sporadically attempt to emerge from the gums.
In some instances, the discomfort can escalate to persistent pain, swelling, and even infection, necessitating medical intervention. Dentists often recommend the removal of wisdom teeth to prevent these complications. This minor surgical procedure, although daunting to some, can alleviate future dental issues and improve overall oral health.
Unfortunately, wisdom teeth removal can be expensive, and it is not usually covered in full by traditional dental insurance. With the average retail cost of wisdom teeth removal ranging from $300 to $2,300 (depending on where it’s performed, what anesthetic is used, and whether or not the wisdom teeth are impacted), this rite of passage can be daunting for a family on a budget.
Thus, while wisdom teeth can pose a challenge, understanding the potential issues and available solutions can help individuals navigate this common dental journey with confidence and ease.
So, if you’re in need of wisdom teeth removal, how can you afford it? This article will cover some strategies you can explore to help cover the costs of advanced dental care and make this valuable service more affordable for you and your family.
Traditional dental insurance
In general, most medical insurance plans do not cover the cost of removing wisdom teeth, including standard Medicare. The only potential exception would be in cases where the extraction is anticipated to be exceptionally complex or risky, and if it is considered medically necessary due to complications or associated conditions arising from the situation.
However, if you have a separate policy for dental insurance, the plan most likely offers coverage toward wisdom tooth removal up to a maximum annual payout (usually $1,500 per person, or a higher total for the whole family.) Combined with the lower contracted fees participating providers have agreed to accept for the consultation and follow-up visits, this type of dental insurance coverage can cover a significant portion of the cost of having your wisdom teeth removed.
It probably won’t cover all of it, so there are other options to consider as well.
Dental discount plans
Similar to insurance, dental discount plans will have a panel of participating dentists who have agreed to offer their services at discounted rates to plan members. Assuming the plan you join includes discounts toward extractions and oral surgery, this can be an excellent way to save money.
When you hold both insurance and a discount plan, take a magnifying glass to the nitty-gritty details. It’s important to thoroughly research coverage details and discuss the matter in detail with the provider’s office before going ahead with any procedure. This will allow you to determine which option saves you more money while allowing the provider to offer the best services and materials for your situation. While using both insurance and a discount plan for a single procedure might be a long shot, it doesn't hurt to ask the provider - who knows, they might surprise you!
One potential advantage of the discount plan over time is the fact that there are no limits to how many times the discount can be applied or how much you’re allowed to save. Having your wisdom teeth removed involves a number of billable services: a consultation, one or more surgeries, anesthetic, and at least one follow-up visit to make sure you’re healing up properly. With all that factored in, your overall out-of-pocket expense may be lower with the discount plan.
Private financing through the office
Recent times have seen a surge in dentists and oral surgeons rolling out finance options for pricey procedures, both in-house and via external lenders. They know most patients can’t afford to pay for these services all at once, and the option to finance wisdom tooth removal can sway a patient who is on the fence. It is advisable to communicate with each office to understand the specific plan guidelines, interest rates, payment schedules, and other pertinent information specific to that particular practice.
While these kinds of private financing options usually end up more expensive than paying cash upfront for the services, the interest rates and terms tend to be better than the average American’s available credit card or personal loan options. Low credit scores tend to be less of a deterrent than in other financing situations, as well. Especially if used in combination with insurance or a discount plan, financing the remaining balance of your wisdom teeth removal through the office can be both convenient and cost-effective.
Conventional credit or savings
One last option to think about is financing your wisdom tooth removal through a credit card, personal loan, line of credit, or by using funds from a savings account or retirement fund.
Since it can be a significant purchase, each person needs to make their own decision on how highly they value the benefits of having their wisdom teeth removed compared to the cost of credit or the limitations it may place on future spending. If you’re going to take a large amount of cash out of a savings account or retirement fund, the wise move is to discuss it with your financial planner first and compare all the details with the other options listed above.
Regardless of your personal financial situation, getting your wisdom teeth removed is a big deal and demands some serious tender loving care. If you don’t currently have dental insurance or a dental discount plan available, obtaining one or both is a logical first step in the process. Next up? Dive into some toothy research and rope in your trusty dentist to pick the perfect plan for your dental escapade!
