2026 US Patient Reference

How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in 2026?

US national average: $1,800-$3,400 for all four teeth including IV sedation. Insurance covers 50-80% up to a $1,000-$2,000 dental annual max.

Updated 17 April 2026. Sources: ADA CDT Fee Survey 2026, AAOMS, Cochrane Review 2020.

CDT CodeProcedureLowTypicalHigh
D7140Erupted tooth (simple extraction)$75$140$200
D7210Erupted tooth requiring sectioning$200$300$400
D7220Soft tissue impaction$225$310$400
D7230Partial bony impaction$300$400$500
D7240Full bony impaction$400$500$600
D7241Full bony with complications$500$650$800
D7250Removal of residual root$200$300$400

Per tooth. Excludes anaesthesia, consultation, and X-ray. Source: ADA CDT Fee Survey 2026.

10-second summary: Simple extraction $75-$200 per tooth. Impacted $225-$600 per tooth. IV sedation adds $250-$500. General anaesthesia adds $300-$600. Oral surgeons cost 30-50% more than general dentists for the same erupted tooth. Dental schools cut 50-70% off list. Most dental plans cover 50-80% up to a $1,500 annual max.

Estimate Your Cost

2026 national averages with state adjustment. Math shown transparently.

Impacted teeth require an oral surgeon

The Four Cost Drivers

Impaction Level

The single biggest factor. D7140 erupted costs $75-$200. D7240 full bony costs $400-$600. That is the same jaw, same tooth, $400 difference per tooth.

CDT Code Guide

Anaesthesia Type

Local is included. IV sedation adds $250-$500. General anaesthesia adds $300-$600. For most healthy adult four-tooth cases, IV sedation is clinically sufficient.

Anaesthesia Guide

Provider Type

A general dentist charges $75-$200 for erupted teeth. An oral surgeon charges $225-$600 but handles all impaction levels and offers IV sedation.

Provider Comparison

Geography

NYC adds 35%, LA adds 25%, SF adds 30% over national average. Mississippi and Arkansas run 20-25% below. Your zip code matters more than your state.

50-State Guide

What Is (and Is Not) Included in Most Quotes

Typically Included

  • +Extraction itself
  • +Local anaesthesia
  • +Suturing (if required)
  • +Post-op exam at same visit

Often Billed Separately

  • !Panoramic X-ray (OPG): $100-$250
  • !IV sedation: $250-$500
  • !General anaesthesia: $300-$600
  • !Prescriptions: $20-$80
  • !Follow-up if complications arise
  • !Dry socket treatment: $50-$200/visit

Always request an all-in written quote. See full recovery cost guide.

Do You Actually Need Them Removed?

The Cochrane Review 2020 concluded that "the available evidence is insufficient to support or refute routine prophylactic removal of asymptomatic third molars." AAOMS does not endorse routine prophylactic extraction and recommends removal based on clinical judgement, not age or precautionary policy alone.

Routine removal is a reasonable choice when roots are not fully formed (ages 17-25) and extraction is expected to become necessary eventually. It is not automatically the right choice for every asymptomatic, fully erupted tooth with adequate space and good oral hygiene.

Practice blogs ranking for this topic sell the surgery. We do not. See the full evidence review on the dedicated page.

Insurance Math: A Worked Example

Scenario: $2,800 quote, all four impacted, IV sedation, dental PPO at 80% to $1,500 max

Total quote $2,800
Dental annual maximum $1,500
Coverage at 80% (80% of $1,500 max)$1,200
Your out-of-pocket ($2,800 - $1,200)$1,600

If this case qualifies as medically necessary and routes through medical insurance (5k-10k+ annual max at 80%), out-of-pocket could drop to under $500. See full routing guide at /insurance.

Cost by State (Top 10)

All 50 states →
StateAll Four (Low)All Four (High)
California$1,950$4,600
New York$2,100$4,900
Texas$1,700$3,900
Florida$1,750$4,000
Illinois$1,800$4,200
Pennsylvania$1,700$3,900
Ohio$1,550$3,600
Georgia$1,600$3,800
Washington$1,900$4,400
Massachusetts$2,000$4,600

All four teeth mixed impaction including IV sedation. Full 50-state table.

No Insurance? Cheaper Paths

Dental School Clinics

50-70% off

Oral surgery residents supervised by licensed faculty. Wait time 4-12 weeks. Quality care at significantly reduced fees.

Learn more →

Dental Savings Plans

20-50% off

DentalPlans.com, Carrington, Aetna Vital Savings. Annual fee $99-$200. Discount applies immediately, no waiting periods.

Learn more →

CareCredit Financing

0% promo

6-24 month 0% promotional periods. Warning: deferred interest at 26.99% APR applies if not paid in full by deadline.

Learn more →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to remove all 4 wisdom teeth without insurance?
Without insurance: all four erupted $300-$800 plus exam and X-ray. All four partial bony $1,200-$2,000 plus anaesthesia. All four full bony with IV sedation $2,400-$4,175 total. Dental schools cut 50-70% off these prices. See the full without-insurance breakdown.
Is wisdom tooth removal covered by insurance?
Most dental plans cover 50-80% to a $1,000-$2,000 annual maximum. Surgical extractions are classified as 'major' (typically 50% coverage). Medical insurance covers when medically necessary, with a much higher annual max of $5,000-$10,000+.
Why is wisdom teeth removal so expensive?
Three factors: impaction complexity (D7240 full bony is 4-8x the fee of D7140 simple), anaesthesia (IV or general adds $250-$600), and provider premium (oral surgeons charge 30-50% more for the same erupted case than general dentists).
Can a regular dentist remove wisdom teeth?
Yes, for fully erupted teeth (D7140, D7210) at $75-$200 per tooth. Impacted wisdom teeth require an oral surgeon. Most general dentists routinely refer any bony impaction regardless of severity.
How much does IV sedation cost for wisdom teeth?
IV sedation adds $250-$500 to the bill. General anaesthesia adds $300-$600. For most healthy adults having four-tooth extractions, IV sedation is clinically sufficient. Ask your surgeon: 'Can this be done under IV sedation rather than general anaesthesia?'
Do I actually need my wisdom teeth removed?
Not automatically. Cochrane Review 2020 found insufficient evidence for routine prophylactic removal of asymptomatic teeth. Removal is clearly indicated for pain, infection, cyst formation, or damage to adjacent teeth. See the full evidence review.
What CDT codes appear on a wisdom tooth bill?
D7140 (erupted simple), D7210 (erupted surgical), D7220 (soft tissue impaction), D7230 (partial bony), D7240 (full bony), D7241 (full bony with complications). Your EOB and treatment plan should list these codes with the billed fee next to each.
What is the cheapest way to get wisdom teeth removed?
Dental school oral surgery clinic (50-70% off) plus a dental savings plan (20-50% off) plus cash-payment discount (5-15% off) is the cheapest combination. The same case can cost $400 at a dental school or $4,000 at a private high-cost-metro oral surgeon.

See all 60+ questions →

Sources: ADA CDT Fee Survey 2026; AAOMS White Paper on Third Molar Management 2016; Cochrane Review: Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth, 2020; Aspen Dental 2026 published fee range; Authority Dental 2026 cost guide; ConsumerShield 2026 wisdom teeth survey; GoodRx dental cost data; individual oral surgery practice fee sampling across 15 states. Full methodology →

Updated 2026-04-27