How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Permanent teeth may be meant to last a lifetime, but there are inevitable circumstances when you may need to have a tooth extracted.  This could include severe pain, a non-repairable situation, rotten teeth, an impacted tooth or overcrowded teeth.

Dentist by Sole Treadmill, on Flickr
Dentist” (CC BY 2.0) by Sole Treadmill

How much does a tooth extraction cost?

There are many different reasons a tooth can be pulled, and for that reason, it can be hard to offer an estimate.  The costs can range from as little as $90 to more than $1,000+, depending on your circumstances, your dentist and where you live.  With so many scenarios, we created a chart to help you figure out what a tooth extraction may cost you for your circumstances.

Type of Tooth ExtractionDescription of ProcedureAverage Cost (per tooth)
Baby Tooth ExtractionIn some rare cases, baby teeth may put up a fight when naturally ready to fall out.$50 to $125
Simple Tooth ExtractionPermanent teeth are often removed, but it can be hard to offer an estimate. If the tooth is in a normal position along the jaw and gum line, then your dentist should be able to remove it; however, it has emerged through the gums, the costs could increase due to the x-rays needed to check on its progress.$100 to $500
Surgical Tooth ExtractionSurgery will be required for complex situations such as removing additional bone and/or parts of the gum in order to remove the tooth or cut it into pieces. These situations can include extreme damage to the tooth, an impacted tooth, irregular root formation, cracks or an extremely dense jaw bone.$200 to $1,000
Emergency Tooth ExtractionIn some cases, a tooth may need to be removed... now. The total costs will depend on the factors such as when it's done and how it's removed.$350 to $800 for a simple procedure to as much as $1,000 to $1,500 for an emergency surgical procedure.
Wisdom Tooth ExtractionAs a standard practice in the United States, your wisdom teeth are referred to as your third set of molars. While not everyone needs them remove, the difficulty of extraction will affected the costs.$100 for a simple wisdom tooth extraction to $800+ for a complex situation.

According to YourDentistryGuide.com, they say the harder the tooth is to remove, the more it’s going to cost, but on average, be prepared to spend $130 to $400.

Delta Dental, a popular dental insurance carrier, covers a tooth extraction procedure and customers report paying $75 to $200 per tooth after insurance kicked in.

Tooth extraction overview

During a simple extraction, your dentist will remove your tooth by loosening the gums surrounding the tooth while using forceps to wiggle it free.  With a complex surgical extraction, your dentist, depending on the situation, will either remove your tooth above the gum line, leaving the roots in place if no enamel is showing or a luxation procedure, a process where your dentist will use a sharp tool to force the root and bone out, while suturing the remaining hole.  If the teeth are impacted, then an incision may be made into the gums surrounding the tooth, essentially creating a flap to remove it.

After the extraction, your dentist will have you bit down on a gauze for about 30 to 45 minutes to place pressure on the area to allow the blood to naturally clot.  For the next day, you will be asked to stick to a soft food/liquid diet and rinse the socket with warm salt water after meals and before bed.

What are the extra costs?

Almost always, you will need a preliminary examination before your dentist decides to remove your tooth.  This exam can cost anywhere from as little as $50 to $150 for just the oral examination.  Then, if x-rays were needed, which in most cases, they are, it will tack on another $50 to $150.

In complicated cases, x-rays, sedation, stitches and/or an anesthetic may be needed to help with the process.  The average x-ray can cost another $50 to $150, whereas stitches can cost another $100 to $200.  All dentist offices have its own billing policy, so refer to their documentation to know what you’re going to be charged.

A mild sedation, such as a nitrous oxide, can cost another $50 to $150, whereas a local anesthetic can add $200 to $400 to the total billing cost.  If you want to “go under” with general anesthesia, then this could cost upwards of $400+ per hour.

Emergency situation costs can increase if you needed it done on a weekend or during a holiday.

Factor in aftercare expenses such as removing stitches and/or checking on the progress.  Some offices may include this fee in the estimates mentioned above while others may charge another office visit fee.

Pain and/or antibiotic medication will often be prescribed after the extraction is complete.

Tips to know:

A tooth extraction, if needed, should be done as soon as possible to avoid infection and serious problems, according to WebMD.

Risks may include bacteria entering the bloodstream, causing infections on other parts of the body and/or a blood clot to become dislodged, which can expose the bone, causing serious pain, also referred to as “dry socket.”  Other risks may include an incomplete extraction, alignment problems, a fractured jaw or nerve injuries.

Your blood clot, on average, will last anywhere from a few days to weeks, dependin on your healing process and aftercare.

How can I save money?

Medicare or Medicaid may pay for your extraction, but in most cases, if it isn’t an emergency, it’s probably a no-go.  To learn more, check with your provider to see if they can help with the costs.

If you do have dental insurance, then they will almost always cover the procedure as long as it’s deemed medically necessary.  As long as you didn’t reach your annual maximum, you may find your insurance company covering up to 90 percent of the costs.

If you don’t have dental insurance, then highly consider a dental discount plan.  These plans work very similar to insurance, offering you significant savings.  Visit DentalPlans.com to see what kind of dentist plans are available in your area and what kind of savings you may be able to take advantage of.

Dental schools are another way to take advantage of solid deals if one is available in your area.  These clinics, even though students will work with you, are still supervised by a certified dental professional.

Consider checking ClinicalTrials.gov to see if you can take advantage of a trial offer.

This state directory may be able to help you pay for some of your expenses.  Refer to the list to see which organizations are available in your area.

If you need any other dental work, see if you can bundle it all as a package to bring the costs down.

Some offices, if you were to pay in cash up front, may be able to knock a certain percentage off.

Even if you’re loyal to one dentist, see what other offices are charging in your area.  If you’re able to find a lower price, see if your dentist is able to match it.


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