Wisdom Tooth Extraction questions answered in plain English

A simple non-surgical extraction of a fully erupted wisdom tooth costs €150 to €300. Surgical removal of 1 impacted wisdom tooth costs €350 to €500 (€280 to €400 after 20% Form Med 2 tax relief). Removing 2 to 4 impacted wisdom teeth in a single sitting costs €700 to €1,400, and conscious IV sedation adds €350 to €450 per session.

Only if it is a surgical extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth. Under Revenue's Tax and Duty Manual Part 15-01-12, routine tooth extractions do not qualify for Form Med 2 tax relief, whereas surgical extraction of impacted wisdom teeth (in a dental surgery or hospital) qualifies for 20% income tax relief.

No. The Department of Social Protection's PRSI Treatment Benefit scheme covers an annual dental examination and €42 towards a scale and polish (or periodontal treatment). It pays €0 towards simple or surgical tooth extractions.

Many Irish private hospital health insurance plans cover the surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth when performed by an insurer-approved consultant oral surgeon in a recognised day hospital or accredited clinic (minus any policy day-case excess, once pre-authorised). Routine simple extractions by a general dentist usually need a separate dental policy.

A valid Medical Card (DTSS) covers necessary routine tooth extractions with a DTSS-contracted dentist. If a wisdom tooth is deeply impacted or close to the inferior alveolar nerve and needs hospital oral surgery, your dentist refers you to an HSE Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department.

Conscious IV sedation is charged per appointment session (€350 to €450), not per tooth. Having two, three or all four impacted wisdom teeth removed in a single sitting incurs only one sedation fee.

Revenue's Health Expenses manual (Part 15-01-12) specifically excludes routine extraction of teeth from tax relief, but explicitly includes the 'surgical extraction of impacted wisdom teeth' as non-routine oral surgery. If your wisdom tooth requires surgical removal (raising a gum flap, easing bone or sectioning the tooth), the clinic signs Form Med 2 so you can claim 20% back.

Conscious IV sedation (€350 to €450) is charged once per session, not per tooth. That is why removing 2 to 4 impacted wisdom teeth in a single sedated appointment is far more cost-effective than booking separate visits.

Yes — most Irish private health insurance policies cover surgical removal of impacted wisdom teeth (often with 80% to 100% day-case cover minus a €75–€150 policy excess) when performed by a participating oral surgeon in an approved clinic or private hospital day ward.

For an upper wisdom tooth or simple extraction, 24 to 48 hours is usually plenty. For surgical removal of one or more impacted lower wisdom teeth, swelling peaks on Day 2 to Day 3, so planning 3 to 5 days away from strenuous work or public-facing meetings is sensible.

No — after intravenous sedation you must have a responsible adult escort you home by car or taxi and stay with you for the rest of the day, and you cannot drive, operate machinery or sign legal documents for 24 hours.

If your panoramic OPG X-ray shows the root tips overlapping the inferior alveolar nerve canal, the surgeon takes a 3D CBCT scan (€140–€220) to see whether the nerve runs to the side of the roots or between them. If the roots hook directly around the nerve, the surgeon can perform a nerve-sparing coronectomy.