CDT Code Reference

Wisdom Teeth Removal Cost by Impaction Type and CDT Code

The cost of removing a wisdom tooth depends almost entirely on how impacted it is. Each impaction level roughly doubles the per-tooth fee. Here is the complete CDT code map for 2026.

CDT Code Fee Table 2026

Per tooth. Excludes anaesthesia, consultation, and X-ray. Source: ADA CDT Fee Survey 2026.

CDT Code	Procedure	What It Covers	Low	Typical	High
D7140	Extraction, erupted tooth	Simple, no surgical access needed	$75	$140	$200
D7210	Surgical removal, erupted tooth	Sectioning or minor bone removal required	$200	$300	$400
D7220	Soft tissue impaction	Tooth through bone, covered by gum only	$225	$310	$400
D7230	Partial bony impaction	Some bone covering crown, bone removal needed	$300	$400	$500
D7240	Full bony impaction	Crown completely encased in bone	$400	$500	$600
D7241	Full bony with complications	Unusual nerve proximity, excessive sectioning	$500	$650	$800
D7250	Removal of residual root	Broken root remaining after prior extraction	$200	$300	$400

Each Impaction Level Explained

D7140

Erupted (Simple) Extraction

$75-$200 per tooth

Clinical Description

The tooth has fully broken through the gum and is accessible. No bone removal required. Forceps extraction under local anaesthesia.

Why It Costs What It Does

Lowest chair time, no sectioning, minimal post-operative management. A general dentist handles this routinely.

Typically Included

Local anaesthesia, extraction, post-op exam at same visit.

Often Billed Separately

Panoramic X-ray ($100-$250) if not recently taken. Follow-up if complications.

Worked example: Single erupted wisdom tooth at a general dentist: $75-$200 extraction + $100-$200 X-ray (if needed) = $175-$400 all-in.

D7220

Soft Tissue Impaction

$225-$400 per tooth

Clinical Description

The tooth crown has cleared bone but is still covered by gum tissue (operculum). The gum must be incised and retracted, the tooth extracted, and sutures placed.

Why It Costs What It Does

More chair time than simple extraction. Suturing required. Some post-operative swelling expected.

Typically Included

Local anaesthesia, incision, extraction, suturing, post-op review.

Often Billed Separately

IV sedation if desired ($250-$500), X-ray, prescriptions.

Worked example: Soft tissue impaction at oral surgeon, IV sedation: $310 extraction + $375 IV sedation + $150 exam/X-ray = approximately $835 per tooth.

D7230

Partial Bony Impaction

$300-$500 per tooth

Clinical Description

Part of the crown is still encased in jawbone. Bone must be removed with a drill and/or elevator before the tooth can be extracted. Usually requires sectioning (cutting the tooth into pieces) for lower third molars.

Why It Costs What It Does

Significant surgical time. Bone removal increases healing time and dry socket risk. An oral surgeon is required.

Typically Included

Local anaesthesia, bone removal, sectioning, extraction, suturing.

Often Billed Separately

IV sedation ($250-$500) or general anaesthesia ($300-$600), panoramic or CBCT X-ray, prescriptions.

Worked example: Two partial bony impactions at oral surgeon, IV sedation: 2x $400 + $375 IV + $175 X-ray + $100 exam = approximately $1,450 total.

D7240 / D7241

Full Bony Impaction

$400-$800 per tooth

Clinical Description

The entire crown is encased in jawbone (D7240). D7241 applies when complications exist: unusual proximity to the inferior alveolar nerve, excessive bone density, or need for extensive sectioning.

Why It Costs What It Does

Highest surgical complexity. Maximum bone removal. Highest risk of dry socket (35% incidence for lower third molars) and temporary nerve effects (1-5%).

Typically Included

Local anaesthesia, bone removal, sectioning, extraction, suturing, post-op review.

Often Billed Separately

CBCT imaging strongly recommended ($150-$400), IV sedation or general anaesthesia, prescriptions.

Worked example: All four full bony impactions at oral surgeon, IV sedation: 4x $500 + $375 IV + $200 CBCT + $100 exam = approximately $2,675 total.

All-Four Pricing Combinations

Scenario	Extraction Only	With IV Sedation	Total Incl. Exam
All four erupted (D7140 x4)	$300-$800	+$250-$500	$650-$1,550
2 erupted + 2 partial bony	$750-$1,400	+$250-$500	$1,100-$2,150
All four partial bony (D7230 x4)	$1,200-$2,000	+$250-$500	$1,600-$2,750
All four full bony (D7240 x4)	$1,600-$2,400	+$250-$500	$2,000-$3,150
All four full bony with complications (D7241 x4)	$2,000-$3,200	+$250-$500	$2,400-$3,950

Exam/X-ray added at $225 average. Does not include state premium or recovery costs.

How to Read Your Treatment Plan for CDT Codes

Before you sign a treatment plan, check that each tooth has its own line item with a specific CDT code. Vague entries like "surgical extraction" without a code are unacceptable. Request the code in writing if it is missing.

On your insurance Explanation of Benefits (EOB), the CDT code appears in a column labelled "Procedure" or "Service." The fee next to it is what your provider billed. The "Plan Paid" column is what insurance covered. The "Member Responsibility" column is your portion.

Questions to ask before agreeing to treatment:

Which CDT code is this tooth billed under?
What is included in that fee?
What will be billed separately (sedation, X-ray, prescriptions)?
Can you give me an all-inclusive written quote?

FAQ

What is the most expensive wisdom tooth to remove?

A full bony impaction coded D7241 (full bony with complications such as unusual nerve proximity or sectioning) is the most expensive at $500-$800 per tooth. D7240 standard full bony runs $400-$600. These require the most surgical time, bone removal, and post-op care.

What is the difference between D7230 and D7240?

D7230 is partial bony impaction: some bone covers the crown and must be removed, but not all. D7240 is full bony impaction: the entire crown is encased in jawbone. D7240 requires more bone removal, more surgical time, and carries higher risk of nerve proximity and dry socket. It typically costs $100-$200 more per tooth than D7230.

How do I find the CDT code on my treatment plan?

Your treatment plan and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) list the CDT code next to each procedure. Look for codes starting with D7. The number after D7 identifies the procedure: D7140 simplest, D7241 most complex. If the code is missing, ask your provider to add it in writing before you agree to treatment.

Can all four wisdom teeth have different impaction levels?

Yes, and this is common. Upper wisdom teeth are typically easier to extract than lower ones. A patient may have two erupted uppers (D7140) and two full bony impacted lowers (D7240). The bill is calculated per tooth at each code's rate, not a single flat price for all four.

What is a soft tissue impaction?

A soft tissue impaction (D7220) means the tooth has erupted through bone but is still covered by gum tissue (operculum). The tissue must be cut and sutured to access and remove the tooth. It is more complex than a simple erupted extraction but less so than bony impactions because no bone removal is required.

Does insurance cover impacted wisdom tooth removal?

Most dental PPO plans cover impacted wisdom teeth as a major procedure at 50% up to the annual maximum (typically $1,000-$2,000). If the case meets medical-necessity criteria (cyst, infection, nerve damage), routing through medical insurance may be more cost-effective given its higher annual maximum.