If you’re wondering whether your dental insurance policy covers getting your wisdom teeth removal, you’re not alone. With the average cost of wisdom tooth extraction ranging from $150 to $300 per tooth in Toronto, the procedure can get expensive without sufficient coverage.
The good news is that most dental insurance plans do provide some coverage for wisdom tooth extractions. However, the specifics depend on your particular policy. Here’s what you need to know:
Does Dental Insurance Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal?
In general, dental insurance will provide at least partial coverage for wisdom tooth removal. Typical policies cover 50-80% of the cost for extractions that are deemed medically necessary.
So if your dentist confirms that your wisdom teeth are impacted or causing problems that warrant extraction, you can expect your insurance to pick up a portion of the tab.
What Factors Affect Coverage?
The exact percentage you’ll be covered for depends on several factors:
- Your specific insurance plan and policy limits
- Annual maximums and deductibles
- Whether the surgery is performed by an in-network or out-of-network oral surgeon
- If the teeth are impacted vs erupted
Many policies also make a distinction between basic and major services, with wisdom tooth removal falling into the latter category.
Affordable Extraction Options in Toronto
If you have concerns about affording the out-of-pocket costs even with insurance, know that cheaper wisdom tooth extraction options do exist in Toronto. Here are a few money-saving tips:
- Ask your dentist for an in-house oral surgeon referral to keep costs lower with one consolidated bill
- Inquire about payment plans or dental financing options
- Consider dental schools like U of T or George Brown College for discounted rates
- Shop around for quotes as prices can vary drastically between clinics
Does My Dental Insurance Cover All 4 Wisdom Teeth?
Another common question is whether insurance covers extracting all 4 wisdom teeth or limits the number they’ll cover. Good news – most standard policies provide coverage for all 4 extractions if your dentist deems it necessary.
However, some lower-tier or student plans only cover 2 wisdom teeth per policy year. So always check with your provider.
Putting It All Together
While specifics vary between Toronto dental insurance providers like Canada Life, Sunlife, Pacific Blue Cross etc., in general you can expect coverage between 50-80% for medically required wisdom tooth extraction.
Just be sure to consult your insurer, clarify plan details upfront, and utilize cost-saving tactics where possible. This will help take the “ouch” out of your 4 wisdom teeth coming out!
