Feeling unsure about what a wisdom teeth extraction might set you back? You’re not alone. Prices can swing widely across Australia, and that uncertainty often keeps people from seeking timely care. We’ve compiled all the necessary details that you need to know about the applicable cost of wisdom teeth removal. This includes current wisdom teeth removal cost Australia figures, so you can compare and plan ahead.
Several moving parts influence the final bill:
A fully erupted tooth is usually easier to remove than an impacted one that sits sideways or hugs a nerve. For example, the impacted wisdom tooth removal cost Australia can be higher due to the added surgical complexity.
Extracting a single upper molar costs less than four deeply impacted molars.
Local anaesthetic is the least pricey; IV sedation or general anaesthetic (GA) adds a substantial premium. This can affect the wisdom tooth extraction cost under sedation if you opt for this method.
Oral and maxillofacial professionals command higher fees than general dentists, and private hospital charges exceed those in a day-surgery clinic. If you’re looking for a dentist for wisdom teeth removal, the setting and qualifications will influence the bill.
Major cities often run higher than regional centres thanks to overheads such as rent.
Simple removal under local anaesthetic with minimal bone trimming. This is where affordable wisdom teeth removal options may be available.
Moderate impaction, possible bone removal, still under local anaesthetic. Some patients search for cheap wisdom tooth extraction Australia to lower these costs.
Multiple deeply impacted teeth removed in a single session, performed by a pro with IV sedation or GA in a hospital or accredited clinic. This is considered surgical wisdom teeth removal and can significantly vary in price depending on your provider.
Here’s the breakdown of the average cost of wisdom teeth removal in Australia.
Many mid- to top-tier policies refund 40–90% of the dentist’s item number, up to an annual limit.
Needed for GA in a private facility; waiting periods and excess apply.
For eligible families, up to $1,132 per eligible child over two calendar years, though complex extractions can chew through the cap fast.
Provides set benefits for entitled veterans.
Quotes can differ markedly; another dentist may suggest a simpler approach.
Some clinics run lower rates mid-week or during quieter months.
Final-year students treat patients under supervision at significantly reduced prices.
Removing all four teeth in one GA session often costs less than two separate surgeries.
A healthy mouth lowers infection risk and minimises follow-up expenses.
Certain health funds partner with provider networks, reducing or eliminating gaps on specified services.
Look up the provider on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) register.
How many wisdom-teeth surgeries do they handle each month. This can help you assess their familiarity with current wisdom tooth extraction prices.
Accreditation for infection control and anaesthesia safety matters.
A practitioner who explains risks, costs, and alternatives helps you make informed decisions.
Clear itemised quotes signal professionalism.
Read independent reviews but weigh them alongside credentials and your consultation experience. If you’re searching for wisdom teeth removal near me, be sure to also check online reviews and local forums.
Costs vary by difficulty and setting. A basic extraction typically costs $250–$300 per tooth. A complex extraction usually falls between $300 and $600 per tooth. When surgery is needed with sedation or a general anaesthetic, expect $1,500–$3,000. These figures are per procedure and can shift with clinic fees, imaging, and follow‑up care.
Without private insurance, you may need to cover most or all of these expenses out of pocket. If you have cover, check waiting periods, annual limits, and item numbers to estimate your gap. Ask for a written quote after an examination so you know which category your removal sits in before booking.
Medicare offers limited benefits for dental. If you rely on Medicare alone, expect to pay the provider directly. Private health insurance can substantially reduce your out‑of‑pocket costs, depending on your extras cover, annual limits, and waiting periods.
Check your policy for dental item numbers and whether hospital care or anaesthesia is included. Ask your dentist or oral surgeon for a written quote and a benefits estimate before booking, so you know what Medicare will not pay and what the insurer will. Without private cover, budget to fund most or all expenses.
Based on per‑tooth fees, removing all four wisdom teeth typically costs:
Most people land in the mixed range, depending on impaction and difficulty. Totals here reflect extraction fees only and don’t include potential extras like imaging, sedation, or hospital charges. For an accurate figure, ask your dentist which teeth are basic vs complex and request a written quote.
Yes. Wisdom teeth can be removed under general anaesthetic (GA) in Australia. General anaesthetia is usually chosen when all four teeth are coming out, teeth are impacted, the surgery is complex, or you have severe dental anxiety. It is performed in a licensed day surgery or hospital by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon or a dentist with an anaesthetist.
You will have a consult and X‑ray first, then fasting instructions, and you must organize an escort home. Alternatives are local anaesthetic in the chair or local plus IV sedation.
Yes. Many dental clinics and oral surgery centres in Australia offer payment options. Common choices include interest free instalment plans with weekly or fortnightly payments after a deposit, buy now pay later services, and third‑party medical finance for hospital or general anaesthetic cases.
Before you commit, confirm the total cost, any account or late fees, credit checks, and what happens if the treatment plan changes. Ask for a written quote so you can check your health fund benefits and set instalments that fit your budget.
Signs you may need wisdom teeth removed include
Dentists also recommend removal when X‑rays show impaction, decay you can’t clean, cysts, damage to nearby teeth, or gum disease risk. Crowding after orthodontics can be another reason. If teeth are healthy, fully erupted, and easy to clean, monitoring is reasonable. See your dentist or an oral surgeon and they’ll advise whether to remove now or review periodically.
Yes. You can remove just one or two wisdom teeth. Dentists treat the teeth that are painful, infected, decayed, damaging the second molar, or clearly impacted on X‑rays. If one upper or lower tooth is removed, the opposing tooth may also be taken out to prevent over‑eruption.
Removing fewer teeth usually means a shorter appointment, faster recovery, and lower cost, though you might need a second procedure later if others cause trouble. Some people choose all four at once for convenience or when surgery is complex or done under general anaesthetic.
During the procedure you should not feel pain. Dentists numb the area with local anaesthetic, so you might feel pressure or vibration.
With IV sedation or general anaesthetic you are relaxed or asleep. Afterward, soreness and swelling are common for two to three days, often peaking around day two. Most people manage well with ibuprofen and paracetamol as directed.
Ice packs, rest, a soft diet, and careful cleaning help. Some cases need a short course of stronger pain relief. If pain worsens on days three to five, it may be a dry socket, so contact your dentist. Seek help sooner for uncontrolled pain, heavy bleeding, fever, or persistent numbness.
Recovery after wisdom tooth extraction usually takes about a week, though it varies with the difficulty of the removal and the anaesthetic used. Swelling and soreness peak in the first two to three days, then ease.
Pain should steadily improve; a spike around days three to five can signal a dry socket, so contact your dentist if that happens. Stitches dissolve or are removed at about a week, and soft foods become easier as the sockets close.
Most soft‑tissue healing finishes by two weeks, gums settle by four to six weeks, and deeper bone changes continue for longer. Many people return to work after 1–3 days, or 3–5 days for surgical cases.
Yes, but start gently.
Talk to a dentist if you have any questions or need further assistance.
DISCLAIMER:
All information on this website is not intended to substitute professional dental service or advice from a licensed practitioner. We do not accept any responsibility for any errors or emissions. Your physician or health care practitioner should be consulted if you have any medical questions needed to be addressed as we cannot provide you this information. By purchasing or using products and/or services recommended on this website you are agreeing to the fact that you have acknowledge and understood the risks involved and that any adverse effect will not be the responsibility of Dental Costs Australia.