Wisdom Tooth Removal - Insurance Coverage?

[girli565]

They a re not that bad!! It is painless during the procedure and if you fill your prescription for pain prior to the procedure and bring them with you you will never be in pain. What pain I do remember was on the ride home when the novocaine wore off and I did not bring the meds with me but once I took t he meds I was FINE!! I was working the next day and back at school two days later. I know people tell horror stories and they really freaked me out but it's more uncomfortable than painful.

My oral surgeon was wonderful and I had all four done at one time. I was swollen, chipmink style, but that was it. I was even eating mashed potatoes that evening. Don't worry, it's not too bloody, and at least for me with all being impacted it was virtually painless. And I o nly had gas and novocaine. i was not knocked out, no anesthesia (sp?). And I'm a massive chicken!!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I was knocked out completely for mine which is probably for the best because I was very anxious. After I got home I slept for a long time and took some pain meds, but the pain for me lasted much longer. When it didn't go away after 2 weeks I went back and they told me I had dry sockets, since I don't smoke or anything he said it was probably from doing too much too soon. So I guess my advice would be to follow their advice to the letter.

 

[AdventureGuru]

Keep in mind how your oral surgeon bills can also be an issue. I had 3 teeth out about 5 years ago. They got a pre-authorization from my insurance co. and then I had to pay about $465 OOP.
Friday I will have the last tooth pulled and need to pay $550 OOP...this is b/c it is only 1 tooth and they will then turn around and submit the claim to the insurance co. From there I will be re-imbursed.
I was confused about this initially too...Why would I be paying more when I am having less teeth pulled When I spoke to the office it made sense...kind of...

 

[HunnyPots]

Hello! I think I am the one that started that other thread you mentioned so I'll share what I now know. I found out for sure today that our insurance (United Health Care) will NOT pay on wisdom teeth extractions, even if they are surgical. Sometimes I wonder why we are paying these outrageous premiums when it seems that nothing we need is ever covered!

As for those with questions about the actual procedure, DH had his out at age 35 and had no problems at all. He had them out on Friday and was back at work on Monday. And he is a huge baby!

DD had hers out at 16 and also had no problems. She didn't even take the pain meds they prescribed. She was fine with Advil or Tylenol.

Just follow the surgeons instructions for your aftercare, especially the part about no carbonated beverages, and you shoud be fine.

 

[daughtersrus]

As others have said, it really does depend on your coverage.

MANY years ago, I had to have mine pulled. Three of the four were impacted. I was young, unmarried and without any dental insurance. A friend of the family was in dental school at the time (U of I in Chicago). He got me into the dental clinic there and I had all of the work done for very little.

It was a pain because everything took longer since it all has to be checked step by step by an instructor. The good part was the cost. It cost me $100.00 ($25.00 a tooth) to have all 4 of the teeth pulled. I had local anesthesia only and very little swelling.

If you have a dental school in the area, it may be worth looking into.

BTW, the one at U of I in Chicago is no longer there and I think that Loyola also closed their dental clinic but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[gottaluvdis]

I had all 4 of mine pulled when I was 20. I had them done at the oral surgeon's office. I was put out completely (shot in the arm and gas). I was glad to have been put out. Novacaine, (I found out later) doesn't work on me. Last year they had to give me 3 syringes of Novacaine for a filling, and when they didn't work, they shot me with something else. The oral surgeon didn't give me a choice at the time of the wisdom teeth - he just gave me the gas and then the injection and I was out for the entire procedure. I woke up groggy after, but snapped out of it pretty fast. My Dad drove me to/from. I was also on his insurance at the time, which covered the procedure. Three of the 4 were impacted and I didn't have room for the 4th without messing up my teeth that I had spent over 2 years in braces to correct, so there was no way those suckers were staying in. I kept the sockets packed with gauze for a couple of hours, then took it out. Minimal to no bleeding, and no problems. I didn't need any pain killers. I'm thankful I had them out young.

DD10 has just started braces, so I asked her Ortho. about the wisdom teeth. Of course it's too soon to tell since they haven't really developed yet, but as soon as they do, chances are good she'll have them out too. I don't want to take the chance that they'll mess up her orthodonture, and it will be easier when she's younger.

 

[PiRSquared]

My DD had her bottom ones out at 14 1/2. They were not in yet but were blocking her 12 year molars from coming in. Neither the dental or the medical would pay the surgery part--I tried everything I could, but the medical was adamant that they don't pay and then dental was the same way. I think we paid $1000. It was obviously surgery because they weren't even in yet. On the other hand, my DH had his out when he was in his lower 30's and they were impacted. We paid almost nothing. Different insurance. Check beforehand so you will know!