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Does Medicare Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Does Medicare Cover Wisdom Teeth Removal?
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Andres GutierrezCompare Health Insurance Policies
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What are wisdom teeth?
Long story short
Medicare doesn’t generally cover wisdom teeth removal
Unfortunately, most dental treatments and services aren’t usually covered in the public system.
Wisdom teeth removal can cost up to $2,000 without insurance
As of 6 November 2025, simple extractions start at around $250 per tooth, but more complex procedures can add up. Dental cover could help you avoid hefty out-of-pocket costs.
Out-of-pocket costs like general anaesthesia could hurt your wallet
You can expect to fork out anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 per tooth with general anaesthesia.
Waiting periods might apply before you can claim on dental insurance
Expect around a two-month wait for general dental and up to 12 months for major dental or hospital-based procedures.
What are wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth are your third molars, usually popping up in your late teens or early twenties. Sometimes, they come through without a hitch, and most people get four of them – though some might only have one, two, or three. Whether they pop up fully, partially, or not at all really depends on the person.
Unfortunately, sometimes wisdom teeth can cause trouble – like damaging your cheek or gum, getting infected, or decaying. That’s when removal becomes necessary. It’s totally common, though! The procedure can range from a simple extraction to a more complex surgical removal, depending on how your wisdom teeth are positioned.
Is wisdom teeth removal covered by Medicare?
Generally, no. Medicare doesn’t cover most dental treatments and services – including wisdom teeth removal. Public dental options are pretty slim, too, with long waitlists and strict eligibility rules.
Private health insurance might take the sting out of paying for wisdom teeth removal, though.
Is wisdom teeth removal covered by private health insurance?
Yes, private health insurance can help cover the cost, but it depends on your policy. If the procedure is done at your dentist’s clinic, you’ll need extras cover that includes dental services. It usually falls under the ‘general dental’ category, or if you need a more complex procedure, it might fall under ‘major dental’.
If you need a surgical extraction in a hospital, both private hospital cover and extras cover can help you with the costs (you’ll need to look for an extras policy that includes dental surgery). Hospital cover can help with admission and theatre fees, while extras cover can assist with your dental surgeon’s fees.
Your policy could also help cover other costs that come with wisdom teeth removal, like general dental services that usually include dentist consultations and X-rays.
It’s always worth checking your policy details or giving your health fund a buzz to be sure what’s included.
What level of health insurance do I need to cover wisdom teeth removal?
Private health insurance can be a massive lifesaver when it comes to covering wisdom teeth removal. You’ll generally need an extras policy with dental cover, and for trickier extractions (like dental surgery), hospital cover could step in to help, too.
How much does wisdom teeth removal cost?
The cost of getting your wisdom teeth out can vary, depending on things like how many wisdom teeth need to be removed, how complex the job is, and what your dentist charges.
Here’s a rough idea of what you might be looking at.
Simple extractions
These can set you back $250 to $400 per tooth, plus consultation and X-ray fees. At least as of November 2025!
Impacted wisdom teeth with an oral surgeon
You might end up paying between $450 and $600 per tooth.
All four teeth with local anaesthetic
This can cost up to $2,000 or even more.
More complex cases
Your dentist might suggest seeing a specialist to have the procedure done in hospital under sedation or general anaesthetic. This could include hospital, medical, and dental costs. If you get wisdom tooth extraction done in a hospital, you might cop as much as $3,000 per tooth for medical and hospital fees under general anaesthesia. Depending on your health insurance policy, some or all of these costs might be covered.
Helpful tip
Paying the full whack for wisdom teeth removal can feel like you’ve got ten extra wisdom teeth to deal with – ouch! But private health insurance can help take the sting out and even let you pick your favourite dentist. Don’t be shy about shopping around and comparing policies!
If you’ve already got private health cover and you’re gearing up for the dentist’s chair (or the hospital for a bigger job), it’s worth having a chat with your dentist, hospital, and insurer. Find out what out-of-pocket costs you might be up for, including any excess. Knowing the numbers ahead of time can make the whole thing a lot less painful than getting hit with a surprise bill later!
Andres Gutierrez
General Manager – Health
Are there other out-of-pocket costs for wisdom teeth removal?
Before getting your wisdom teeth out, you’ll probably need a consultation and an X-ray, which come with their own costs. (But if you have an extras policy with ‘general dental’, these things could be covered.)
The type of anaesthetic or sedation you choose will also impact the final bill. Going under with a general anaesthetic (where you’re completely out) is a lot pricier than sticking with a local one. Plus, there are anaesthetist fees to think about. If you end up having your wisdom teeth extraction done in a hospital, and you’ve got private health insurance with hospital cover that includes dental surgery – like a silver or gold plan, or maybe even bronze plus – some of these costs could be covered.
Just so you know, if you prefer to peace out during all the teeth pulling (or yanking) and opt to be put to sleep for the entire procedure, you’re looking at anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 per tooth.
Are there other costs after wisdom teeth removal?
There’s usually nothing else to do after wisdom teeth removal except to take it easy and recover. That said, you might need some pain medications (and a much-deserved Zooper Dooper – or your icy pole of choice). But even a quick trip to the pharmacy (or servo) can still set you back a few bucks.
How long will I have to wait for wisdom teeth removal?
Let’s break it down into two parts: how long you’ll wait to see a dentist and whether you’ll need to serve a waiting period with your health fund.
Is there a waiting list involved for wisdom teeth removal?
Good news – most dental services, including wisdom teeth removal, are done privately, so you’re not likely to be stuck on a waiting list for months. With private health insurance, you can often skip the queue, book in sooner, and even choose your favourite dentist. So really, the wait is just about when your dentist can fit you in.
And let’s be honest, who wants to sit around if a molar’s been doing your head in?
Do I need to serve a waiting period with my health fund?
If you’re thinking of signing up for private health insurance and claiming for a tooth extraction the next day, hold your horses. Health funds have waiting periods you’ll need to serve first.
For hospital cover (in the unfortunate event that your wisdom teeth removal is a big mission), the rules are pretty set – 12 months for pre-existing conditions and two months for other dental cases.
But for extras cover (like dental), it’s a bit more flexible and varies between insurers. General dental usually has a waiting period of two to six months, while major dental can be up to 12 months or more.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I don’t get my wisdom teeth removed?
You can totally leave your wisdom teeth alone, especially if they’re not causing any problems. But if they’re giving you grief, things could get worse. There might even be a risk of getting a serious, life-threatening infection. It’s a good idea to visit your dentist so you can avoid prolonging the pain. Private health insurance can also help soften the blow if you have dental cover!
How long does recovery from wisdom teeth removal take?
Recovery’s usually pretty quick. You might feel a bit tender or have some mild discomfort for a few days, but it’s nothing a bit of over-the-counter pain relief can’t handle.
Most people are back to their usual selves within a week. It’s always a good idea to ask your dentist or oral surgeon about after-care tips and what pain relief you can take, just in case.
Does wisdom teeth removal hurt?
Wisdom teeth removal is usually pain-free, thanks to local anaesthetic, which will numb the area, or general anaesthetic, which will put you to sleep through the whole thing. So, you won’t really feel a thing during the extraction.
Afterwards, it’s normal to feel a bit tender or sensitive for a few days while you heal. And there could be some minor bleeding from the extraction site, but it’s usually nothing to worry about. Over-the-counter pain relief can help take the edge off if needed.
Tooth be told, we’ve got you and your dental cover
You can make smart choices for your teeth by comparing private health insurance options. Check out the iSelect comparison tool to compare policies without wincing in pain. Or if you call 1800 784 772, our health comparison experts can impart their wisdom and help you find health insurance options for your pearly whites.
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