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 step up in impaction raises the per-tooth fee, from under $200 for a simple erupted extraction to over $800 for a complicated bony case. Here is the complete CDT code map for 2026.

CDT Code Fee Table 2026

Per tooth, local anaesthetic only. Excludes sedation, consultation, and X-ray. Figures are CareCredit's published averages by extraction type (50-state research conducted by ASQ360 for Synchrony, page checked June 2026). CareCredit publishes one bony-impaction figure, so D7230 partial bony and D7240 full bony reference the same range; D7250 residual-root removal references the surgical-extraction figure. There is no national per-CDT-code fee survey: the ADA discontinued its Survey of Dental Fees in 2023.

CDT CodeProcedureLowTypicalHigh
D7140Extraction, erupted tooth$137$177$335
D7210Surgical removal, erupted tooth$281$363$702
D7220Soft tissue impaction$325$423$829
D7230Partial bony impaction$413$532$1,041
D7240Full bony impaction$413$532$1,041
D7241Full bony with complications$639$835$1,620
D7250Removal of residual root$281$363$702

Each Impaction Level Explained

D7140

Erupted (Simple) Extraction

$137-$335 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: $137-$335 extraction + $100-$250 X-ray (if needed) = $237-$585 all-in.
D7220

Soft Tissue Impaction

$325-$829 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

Sedation if desired ($273-$675 per visit), X-ray, prescriptions.

Worked example: Soft tissue impaction at oral surgeon with sedation: $423 extraction + $349 sedation (covers the visit) + $150 exam/X-ray = approximately $920 for one tooth; a second tooth in the same visit adds about $423.
D7230

Partial Bony Impaction

$413-$1,041 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. CareCredit groups partial and full bony impaction into one published figure, so both reference the same range.

Typically Included

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

Often Billed Separately

Sedation ($273-$675 per visit) or general anaesthesia ($494-$1,253 per visit), panoramic or CBCT X-ray, prescriptions.

Worked example: Two partial bony impactions at oral surgeon with sedation: 2x $532 + $349 sedation + $175 X-ray + $100 exam = approximately $1,688 total.
D7240 / D7241

Full Bony Impaction

$413-$1,620 per tooth

Clinical Description

The entire crown is encased in jawbone (D7240, $413-$1,041). D7241 ($639-$1,620) 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 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), sedation or general anaesthesia, prescriptions.

Worked example: All four full bony impactions at oral surgeon with sedation: 4x $532 + $349 sedation + $200 CBCT + $100 exam = approximately $2,777 total, within CareCredit's published $1,200-$4,175 all-four range.

All-Four Pricing Combinations

ScenarioExtraction OnlyWith IV SedationTotal Incl. Exam
All four erupted (D7140 x4)$548-$1,340+$273-$675$775-$2,240
2 erupted + 2 bony$1,100-$2,750+$273-$675$1,325-$3,650
All four bony (D7240 x4)$1,652-$4,164+$273-$675$1,875-$5,060
All four bony with complications (D7241 x4)$2,556-$6,480+$273-$675$2,775-$7,375

Per-tooth extraction figures are CareCredit's published averages by extraction type (ASQ360 50-state research for Synchrony, checked June 2026). Sedation is charged per visit, not per tooth. Exam and panoramic X-ray added at about $225. CareCredit's published all-four range of $1,200 to $4,175 covers typical cases; four bony or complicated impactions with sedation can run above it. 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:

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

CPT Code or CDT Code? Wisdom Teeth Use CDT

A common search is for the "CPT code" for wisdom tooth extraction, or the "CPT code for D7240". There is no specific CPT code for it. Wisdom tooth removal is billed with CDT codes, the D7-series above (Current Dental Terminology, maintained by the ADA, used on dental insurance claims). CPT codes (Current Procedural Terminology, maintained by the AMA) are the medical code set, and none of them describes a routine third molar extraction.

The two only meet when an extraction is medically necessary (for example an impacted tooth causing a cyst, infection, or nerve involvement) and is billed to medical rather than dental insurance. In that case providers cross-code using CPT 41899, the unlisted dentoalveolar procedure code, with an operative note justifying the claim. The CDT D-code still identifies exactly which procedure was done; 41899 is the unlisted medical stand-in because no exact CPT match exists.

Quick reference

  • D7140 to D7250 — CDT codes, dental insurance claims
  • CPT 41899 — unlisted medical code, used only when cross-coding a medically necessary extraction to medical insurance

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, averaging $835 per tooth and ranging $639 to $1,620 in CareCredit's published figures. A standard full bony impaction (D7240) averages $532 ($413 to $1,041). 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. CareCredit publishes a single bony-impaction figure covering both ($413 to $1,041 per tooth), with full bony cases generally sitting at the upper end.
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.
Is there a CPT code for wisdom tooth extraction?
Not a specific one. Wisdom tooth extraction is billed with CDT (dental) codes, the D7-series codes such as D7220, D7230, and D7240. CPT is the medical procedure code set, and it has no dedicated code for routine third molar removal. When an extraction is medically necessary and billed to medical insurance, providers cross-code using CPT 41899, the unlisted dentoalveolar procedure code, supported by an operative note. So a query for the CPT code of D7240 is really asking how to bill that dental code to a medical payer: the answer is CPT 41899 with documentation.
What is the difference between a CDT code and a CPT code?
CDT codes (Current Dental Terminology, maintained by the ADA) are used for dental insurance claims and begin with the letter D. CPT codes (Current Procedural Terminology, maintained by the AMA) are used for medical insurance claims and are numeric. Wisdom tooth extraction uses CDT D7-codes for dental claims. The same procedure is reported to medical insurance only when medically necessary, using the unlisted CPT code 41899 because no specific CPT code describes the extraction.
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.

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Anaesthesia CostDentist vs Oral SurgeonInsurance CoverageRecovery CostBack to Home

Updated 2026-04-27