Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost in Orange County: What to Expect

Wisdom teeth removal typically costs $75 to $300 per tooth for a tooth that has fully come in and $225 to $1,100 per tooth for an impacted tooth, plus $250 to $900 for IV sedation if you choose it. For most patients the total depends on how many teeth come out, how deeply they are impacted, and the type of anesthesia. Dr. Arthur Johnson, a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, gives every patient a written estimate after the consultation at our Mission Viejo office.

These are typical ranges, not a quote. Your X-rays decide where your case falls.

Typical cost per wisdom tooth

What is involved	Typical cost
Erupted wisdom tooth (simple extraction)	$75 to $300 per tooth
Erupted tooth that needs a surgical extraction	$225 to $600 per tooth
Impacted wisdom tooth (in the gum or bone)	$225 to $1,100 per tooth
IV sedation	$250 to $900 per appointment
Bone graft (only in some cases)	Lower end of $300 to $3,000 per site

An impacted tooth that is only covered by gum costs less to remove than one that is fully encased in bone. Teeth with curved roots, or roots that sit close to the nerve in the lower jaw, take the most time.

What it costs to remove all four

Most people have all four wisdom teeth removed in one visit. Using the ranges above:

• Four impacted wisdom teeth: about $900 to $4,400 before anesthesia.
• With IV sedation for that visit: about $1,150 to $5,300.
• If some teeth have fully come in, the total is lower.

Removing all four at once also means one sedation fee and one recovery period instead of two.

What changes the price

• Depth of impaction. Soft tissue, partial bony, and full bony impactions each take more surgical time.
• Root position. When the roots sit near the nerve or the sinus, Dr. Johnson takes a Cone Beam CT scan in our office to plan the surgery in 3D.
• Anesthesia. Local anesthesia alone costs the least. Nitrous oxide and IV sedation add a fee.
• Infection or other problems. A tooth that is already infected, or has damaged the molar beside it, can need extra treatment.
• Age. In younger patients the roots are often not fully formed, which can make surgery simpler and healing quicker.

What insurance covers

Most dental plans pay part of the cost when wisdom teeth are impacted or causing problems, commonly 50 to 80 percent after the deductible, up to the plan’s yearly maximum. Some plans cover sedation only when it is considered necessary, so check that line separately.

Our Mission Viejo office accepts many PPO dental plans and Denti-Cal. We do not accept HMO plans. Ask the office about a pre-treatment estimate from your plan so you know your share before surgery.

Do you need a bone graft?

Usually not. Dr. Johnson recommends a bone graft after most extractions, but wisdom teeth are the common exception because no implant will replace them. The exception is an impacted lower wisdom tooth that sits against the second molar, where a graft can help protect the bone that holds that molar. Read more in Bone Graft After Tooth Extraction.

How to keep costs down

• Use your insurance benefits, and ask for a pre-treatment estimate.
• Have all the teeth that need to come out removed in one visit.
• Get evaluated early, before an impacted tooth causes an infection or damages the molar next to it.
• Use FSA or HSA funds if you have them.

Next steps

The consultation includes an exam and X-rays, and a written estimate for your treatment. Learn what to expect from surgery on our wisdom teeth removal page. Our office is at 25982 Pala Ste 120, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, close to Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, and Lake Forest. Contact us or call (949) 347-9990 to book a consultation.