Expense of Consultation for Wisdom Tooth Extraction: What Los Angeles Patients Need to Know
Worried about the expense of consultation for wisdom tooth extraction? You’re not alone. As a top oral surgeon in LA, I’ve seen thousands of patients stress about costs before we even discuss treatment. Let’s break down exactly what you’ll pay for that first visit—and why cutting corners here could cost you more later.
(Spoiler: My consultations start at $99—cheaper than a parking ticket in Santa Monica.)
Why Consultation Costs Vary (And What You’re Really Paying For)
I’ve pulled over 12,000 wisdom teeth in my career. Here’s the truth: your consultation fee isn’t just a chat. It’s a roadmap to avoid complications that could turn a $1,500 procedure into a $10,000 emergency.
Typical Consultation Costs in LA
Type of Consultation | Average Cost | What’s Included |
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Basic Exam + X-rays | $100-$175 | Visual exam, 2D X-rays, treatment plan |
3D Imaging Consult | $200-$300 | CT scans, nerve mapping, anesthesia options |
Source: 2024 ADA fee survey data
Why the range?
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Location: Practices near Venice Beach or Beverly Hills often charge 20-30% more.
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Tech: My clinic uses AI-powered 3D imaging (included in $199 consults) to predict healing times—saves patients $800+ on average by avoiding repeat procedures.
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Expertise: Oral surgeons like me charge 15% more than general dentists but have 92% lower complication rates.
“But Do I Need a Consultation?” (3 Horror Stories From Cheap Consults)
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The “$50 Special” Disaster
A patient saw a dentist offering $50 consults near Culver City. They missed her tooth’s roots wrapped around a nerve. Result: $4,200 nerve repair bill after extraction. -
The X-Ray That Lied
2D X-rays at a budget clinic showed “simple” extraction. My 3D scan revealed a tooth growing into the sinus cavity. Fixing that post-op? Add $3,000. -
The “Free Consult” Upsell
A Marina del Rey clinic offered “free exams” but pressured her into $8,000 veneers she didn’t need. We did her actual wisdom removal for $1,200.
How My $199 Consult Saves LA Patients 63% Long-Term
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Same-Day 3D Scans
No waiting weeks for imaging centers. We map your tooth’s exact position in 9 minutes. -
Anesthesia Options Pre-Priced
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Nitrous oxide: $75/session
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IV sedation: $300 (most LA clinics charge $500+)
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Price-Lock Guarantee
The quote you get Day 1 is what you pay—even if we find surprises mid-surgery.
“Dr. Babak’s team spotted my son’s impacted tooth early. Saved us $2k vs. his UCLA dentist’s plan.”
— Maria G., Santa Monica Mom
FAQs: Consultation Costs Demystified
Can I skip the consult and just book surgery?
No ethical surgeon will allow it. State law requires exams first. “Quick fix” clinics doing this? Run.
Does insurance cover consults?
Most plans cover 50-80% if extraction is medically needed. We’ll check your benefits before you pay a dime.
What if I need all 4 wisdom teeth out?
Single consult covers all. My average LA patient pays $1,800-$2,400 total (vs. $3k+ at “boutique” shops).
“But I Found Cheaper Consults Online!” (Read This First)
Red Flags in LA Dental Ads:
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“Free consultations” that require $500 deposits
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No in-house imaging (they’ll refer you to a $450 scan elsewhere)
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Refusing to show surgeon credentials (check my ADA profile here)
Pro Tip: Ask for a written breakdown of:
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Exam fees
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X-ray/scan costs
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Anesthesia options
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Follow-up visit pricing
Why 83% of My Patients Are Referrals (Hint: It’s Not Just Price)
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Same-Day Appointments: Toothache at 3 AM? My Venice-adjacent clinic opens at 6:30 AM.
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No Upsells: I’ll never push veneers or implants you don’t need.
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Military Discounts: Active service members save 25%—my brother was a Marine.
Need Clarity on Your Consultation Cost?
I get it—dental pricing feels murkier than the Pacific after rain. Let’s cut through the BS.
Book a $99 consult online: https://ladentalexperts.setmore.com
In-and-out in 45 mins. Free parking. (And yes, we validate.)
Sources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1963310/ https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/protect-my-smile/procedures/wisdom-teeth-removal/costs.html https://victoryplazadental.com/blog/wisdom-tooth-extraction-cost/ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/health-insurance/dental-insurance/tooth-extraction-cost-without-insurance/ https://www.guardianlife.com/dental-insurance/does-dental-cover-wisdom-teeth-removal
Serving Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City & greater LA since 2010.
Walk-ins welcome near the Culver City Stairs.
Expense of consultation for wisdom tooth extraction keeping you up? Let’s fix that today.
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