2026 US Patient Reference

How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in 2026?

US national range: $1,200-$4,175 for all four teeth, depending on impaction and sedation (CareCredit). Insurance covers 50-80% up to a $1,000-$2,000 dental annual max.

Sources reviewed June 2026: CareCredit cost guide (ASQ360 50-state research), Aspen Dental published pricing, AAOMS, Cochrane Review 2020.

CDT CodeProcedureLowTypicalHigh
D7140Erupted tooth (simple extraction)$137$177$335
D7210Erupted tooth requiring sectioning$281$363$702
D7220Soft tissue impaction$325$423$829
D7230Partial bony impaction$413$532$1,041
D7240Full bony impaction$413$532$1,041
D7241Full bony with complications$639$835$1,620
D7250Removal of residual root$281$363$702

Per tooth, local anaesthetic only. Excludes sedation, consultation, and X-ray. Figures are CareCredit's published averages by extraction type (ASQ360 50-state research for Synchrony, checked June 2026); CareCredit publishes one bony-impaction figure, so D7230 and D7240 share it and D7250 references the surgical-extraction figure. No national per-CDT-code fee survey exists.

10-second summary: Simple extraction $137-$335 per tooth. Soft tissue to full bony impaction $325-$1,041 per tooth, complicated cases to $1,620 (CareCredit). Sedation adds $273-$675 per visit; general anaesthesia $494-$1,253. Oral surgeons cost more than general dentists for the same erupted tooth. Dental schools and community clinics charge well below private practice. Most dental plans cover 50-80% up to a $1,000-$2,000 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. A simple erupted D7140 averages $177 per tooth; a full bony D7240 averages $532. That is the same jaw, same tooth, roughly triple the fee (CareCredit).

CDT Code Guide

Anaesthesia Type

Local is included. Sedation adds $273-$675 per visit; general anaesthesia $494-$1,253. For most healthy adult four-tooth cases, IV sedation is clinically sufficient.

Anaesthesia Guide

Provider Type

A general dentist handles erupted teeth ($137-$335 per tooth). An oral surgeon costs more but handles all impaction levels and offers IV sedation.

Provider Comparison

Geography

High cost-of-living metros such as Manhattan, SF, and DC run well above the national average; lower-cost states run below it. 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
  • !Sedation (oral/nitrous/IV): $273-$675 per visit
  • !General anaesthesia: $494-$1,253 per visit
  • !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, CareCredit's published all-four range is $1,200-$4,175 depending on impaction and sedation. Four simple erupted teeth sit near the bottom; four full bony impactions with sedation near the top. Dental school clinics charge well below private practice. 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 (a full bony D7240 averages $532 per tooth, roughly 3x the $177 for a simple D7140), anaesthesia (sedation adds $273-$675 per visit, general $494-$1,253), 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 roughly $95-$235 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?
Sedation (oral, nitrous, or IV) adds $273-$675 per visit to the bill; general anaesthesia adds $494-$1,253 (CareCredit). 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: CareCredit wisdom teeth cost guide (50-state research by ASQ360 for Synchrony, checked June 2026); Aspen Dental published wisdom teeth pricing (2026 internal data); FAIR Health Consumer cost estimator; ADA CDT code set (procedure definitions); AAOMS Advocacy White Paper on Third Molar Surgery 2016; Cochrane Review: Surgical removal versus retention for the management of asymptomatic disease-free impacted wisdom teeth, 2020. There is no national per-procedure ADA fee survey: it was discontinued in 2023. Full methodology →

Updated 2026-04-27