Removing wisdom teeth in Oz or Nz
Replies: 7 - Last Post: Oct 3, 2012 6:46 PM Last Post By: midlifetravel
jump to
Removing wisdom teeth in Oz or Nz
Hi all,My wisdom teeth are pushing out and I can't but blame myself that I didn't get them done before leaving home. I've been away for about 10 months now and I have no plans heading back yet. Also my extra months on my travel insurance expired and I'm just about to change my insurance company. And now they're starting to hurt, just now.
Does anyone know the approximate cost of removing them here in Oz or Nz? I already bought a flight to Nz and it's in November but I could postpone it, if the removal turned out to be cheaper here. Do you think the new insurance company would cover this somehow? Or should I get back to my old company (which only gives me insurance for less than two months because I've then been away for more than 12 months)? I'd rather spend my money on the new insurance because I have to get it anyway.
If anyone has some experience or knowledge about these things, help would be highly appreciated! Also if you know any good international insurance companies, I'd be happy to hear about them :)
1
Wisdom tooth removal will vary considerably in price depending on the complexity of the job.In NZ, you could probably start at around $1500 nzd per tooth, and it work up from there. You'd probably need an oral surgeon, rather than a regular dentist to do it. And regular dentists charge heaps!
2
I had two wisdom teeth extracted last year (actually, and another impacted tooth) for about $1200 - $1400.They were very very straight extractions - they had grown straight and were not, in themselves causing a problem. They had also completely grown through. However, one had small decay.
Long story short, I got them removed.
My total bill was about $1200-1400. However, if I hadn't got them removed at the same time, individually they would have cost a lot more. (Essentially like a buy two get one free deal!!).
From memory the costs if I had them removed separately were:
To have the wisdom teeth removed separately I was looking at about $950 per tooth, minimum ($500 - $600 for a straight wisdom extraction plus $350 for the IV sedation). I went to an oral surgeon for health insurance purposes. However, my dentist was actually able to do it if I had chosen to go that way. In the end, by getting them done together it was 'only' around $1200-$1400.
That was the cost of the procedure from an oral surgeon in Wellington, NZ.
I really really really doubt your travel insurance would cover the extractions in this instance.
4
If you are near a university with a dental school, consider a teaching practice. This is very much like being a patient at a teaching hospital. Procedures are usually performed by a professor and 3rd or 4th year student.I live in Boston, and luckily I have dental insurance If I didn't, I would go to a university clinic:
http://www.harvarddentalcenter.harvard.edu/asp-html/teaching-practice.html
Edited by: zebra
5
Gosh those costs are outrageous. I suspect its because you had a surgeon do it. I had some wisdom teeth out last year. I had it done by an ordinary dentist who'd made it his speciality. I was cheesed of with being charged $350. The medicare rate ranges from less than that and he'd charged me as much as he could.So shop around when looking for a dentist. Ring around some ordinary dentists, asking if anyone makes a speciality of teeth extractions. Generally the cost is more if the tooth breaks. Also you will have to pay for a full mouth x-ray though if you are a uk citizen this might be covered by our reciprocal medicare arrangements.
Also i don't think you can buy insurance when you are not in your home country. I think insurers tend to refuse to do it for some odd reason.
6
I had one wisdom tooth removed last year in NZ and it cost $180... I think it really depends if you need surgery or a fairly regular extraction. I had enough of the tooth through the gum already that there was no cutting/surgical aspect just a straight pull.You could buy more insurance away from home, but at a cost.The two companies i have found are IHI and i just got some cover with Atlas - an american based company which covers extreme sports.
I am not sure if they would cover your teeth as it needs to be 'emergency works to tide you over' usually.
7
I did a price comparison between Perth and Wellington a few years ago for a tooth cap - and the Oz price was almost double.No travel insurance will cover something like wisdom teeth. It's not accident that you are developing them :-) You don't necessarily need them removed - they just hurt because you are teething - get a local anthestic gel from a local pharmacy. I think I waited about 5 years before eventually getting mine removed.
Also top teeth are often and easier extraction than bottom ones
