After going to the dentist, for the first time in 5 years, I wasn't surprised to hear that I needed to get my wisdom teeth out. I am 20 years old, but haven't felt anything uncomfortable so I figured my wisdom hasn't hit me yet. One interesting thing is that I would have 6 teeth to extract, not 4. Apparently, I have 2 extra teeth on the bottom of my mouth, after my wisdom teeth, and it's really rare. I google'd it and they're called 'supernumerary teeth'.
So I got a referral to a oral/maxillofacial surgeon highly respected in the area.....got the appointment for surgery after a consultation, and was very content. When I asked about the payment plans, they said they didn't have any! I would have to pay cash for my insurance doesn't cover oral surgery (unless it's an emergency) and they said they need cash in-full or nothing. Obviously this really upset me: I cancelled the appointment, argued with my insurance company about how ridiculous it is that I pay so much for surgical care in my plan and can't use it, and 5 months have gone by since then.
Now, I can clench my jaw and feel pressure on the back. I believe that it's my wisdom teeth coming in even more, and I'm concerned.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go to that will accept payment plans?
If I decide to switch insurance companies, what kind of plan covers wisdom teeth extraction?
Or is there any type of program I can go into that is funded by the state or something, for someone who has little income coming in?

I just need some sort of solution, cause I don't want to have to go to the ER after my teeth start growing into my jaw....causing abnormalties and lots of pain :(
My insurance company said that THAT is the only scenario that they would be able to pay for oral surgery! (Bull, I say)

Insurance company is correct, but in order for them to pay it has to be a medical emergency and you have a doctor's note saying that it is. I guess you will have to wait until it is a medical emergency unless you can take out a loan, because I imagine from dentistry costs, it is going to cost an arm and a leg, right ?

Let me put it this way. You are twenty, so your mouth still has a lot of movement in it yet and those wisdom teeth are going to push all the good teeth around, finding placement. You don't want this to happen if you want to keep your teeth to well into old age.

My insurance provider pays 85% of my dentist bill, which doesn't leave much for me to pick up. It is a shame they are not all like that, but, not all cover oral surgery and I don't expect mine would either.

This is a good case for preventative denistry, i.e. going every six months for cleaning and minor maintenance. That way you can/could avoid this problem. Insurance companies like people who take care of the basics. That means they will not get hit big when the big stuff comes their way.

ms. tick

Hi JP,

Call the closest Dental School in your State. I am sure with you having the supernumerary teeth you would have a good chance at being accepted as a patient for their surgical students. You will have to pay something, but it will be a far cry from what you'd be paying at the oral surgeons.