Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are four teeth that grow on the back of each corner of the mouth sometime between the ages of 17 and 21. If they have room to go straight and in line with your other teeth, healthy wisdom teeth can help you chew without causing any problems with your bite or oral health. However, if they don't have enough room to grow in properly, they can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness of the jaw. In this case, it's best to have them removed. But who pays for wisdom teeth removal?If you have dental insurance, your plan will generally cover part of the cost of removing a wisdom tooth, as long as the procedure is deemed medically necessary.
Depending on your coverage and deductible, if any, insurance can cover up to 80% of the procedure. For example, Guardian Direct Dental's top and mid-level PPO plans cover up to 50% to 70% of tooth extraction costs after a waiting period. In most cases, the two plans overlap each other, collecting various aspects of the line item expenses and expecting the other policy to pay for those that are not covered. According to the Canadian Dental Association, medical plans will not pay for treatments billed as CDT procedures.
Your dentist will follow wisdom tooth best practices to remove the tooth or refer you to an oral surgeon who is better trained to do so. HMO dental insurance plans will cover wisdom tooth extraction in younger patients when recommended by a dentist. Your dental or medical insurance may refuse to pay the claim, leaving you the responsibility to cover that specific procedure. If you notice any of the following situations, you may want to contact your dentist about removing your wisdom teeth: pain, swelling, and stiffness of the jaw; an untreated retained wisdom tooth can cause serious complications; bacteria entering the gums and causing an infection; or swelling of the jaw and face that compromises breathing. Whether you have dental insurance or not, you may need help to cover all the costs of wisdom tooth extraction.
If you are planning major oral surgery (such as getting dental implants or needing your wisdom teeth removed), you may wonder if it's possible to get your health insurance to cover your dental treatment. Fenton is a big advocate for receiving dental care, including wisdom tooth extraction, in dental schools. If your general dentist can remove your wisdom teeth, the cost may be lower than in an oral surgeon's office. In conclusion, if you need your wisdom teeth removed due to pain or other complications, it's important to know who pays for wisdom teeth removal. Depending on your coverage and deductible, dental insurance can cover up to 80% of the procedure.
However, if you don't have dental insurance or if it doesn't cover all of the costs associated with wisdom tooth extraction, there are other options available such as medical insurance or receiving care in a dental school.
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