Ouch! When you’ve got a troublesome tooth that cannot be saved with restorative treatment, a tooth extraction is often the next step.
While it may sound daunting, tooth extraction cost and the procedure are usually quite straightforward. And if you’re dealing with pain from an infected or injured tooth or impacted wisdom teeth, getting the offending tooth (or teeth) taken out ASAP is often a welcome relief!
But how much does a tooth extraction cost?
What factors determine how much you’ll pay?
And is tooth removal covered by Medicare, private health insurance or payment plans?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the cost of tooth extraction, the factors that can affect the price of tooth removal and how to pay for tooth extractions, including payment plans.
How much does tooth extraction cost?
In Australia, the cost for extracting a tooth can range anywhere from $75 for a simple extraction to upwards of a couple of thousand dollars for more complex extractions that may require surgical removal, general anaesthesia and hospital admission.
Curious about the cost of tooth extraction at a Mount Gambier dentist? At Illumident, the cost for extracting a tooth starts from $265 - $505 per tooth (note: digital x-rays may also be required at an additional cost).
Want to know more about our dental treatment fees? Get our full price list below.
5 factors that affect the cost of tooth extraction
The cost of tooth extraction will vary from patient to patient, as there are a few key factors that determine the final fee. These include:
- Whether it’s a simple extraction or surgical extraction
- Whether the procedure is performed in-chair by your dentist or in hospital by an oral surgeon
- The complexity of the case and whether additional treatments are required
- The location of the affected tooth or teeth
- The type of sedation required and anaesthetist fees
What’s the cost of simple extractions vs. surgical extractions?
A simple tooth extraction can cost between $75 to $350 per tooth, while a surgical extraction can range from $250 to upwards of $3,000 for more complex cases.
Generally speaking, a simple tooth extraction costs less than a surgical extraction because it is a less complex procedure and can usually be done by your dentist using local anaesthetic.
A simple tooth extraction is where the affected tooth is:
- Visible above the gum line
- Held only in soft tissue and a small amount of bone
On the other hand, surgical extractions attract a higher fee because they are more complex procedures that take more time, usually require some form of anaesthesia (e.g. twilight sedation or general anaesthesia) for the comfort of the patient, and may need to be performed in hospital by an oral surgeon or specialist. Surgical extraction is usually required for impacted wisdom teeth. This is why wisdom tooth extraction cost will be higher for patients with impacted teeth.
A surgical tooth extraction is where the affected tooth is:
- Impacted, broken or below the gum line or bone line
Wondering whether you’ll need a simple or surgical extraction?
Want a clear picture on how much tooth removal is going to cost you?
Come in and see us for a consultation (book yours here). We’ll determine whether tooth extraction is the right course of action for you and outline all the costs involved so you know exactly what to expect.
Got a troublesome tooth?
Book your Smile Wellness appointment now to determine whether you need tooth extraction or download our guide for more info on tooth extraction costs.
How to pay for tooth removal
Let’s face it — when you’re dealing with impacted wisdom teeth or a painful tooth that simply must go, you don’t need the added stress of worrying about your finances or how you’ll afford treatment. Options like payment plans, Afterpay or coverage from your private health insurance can all help to make the cost of tooth extraction more affordable.
Can you use a payment plan for tooth extractions?
Absolutely. Unexpected costs for dental emergencies like wisdom teeth extractions don’t have to mean a huge blow to your bank account. At Illumident, we offer flexible finance plans and Afterpay so you can pay for the cost of extraction of teeth in easy instalments over time.
Are tooth extraction costs covered by private health insurance?
If you have private health insurance, you may be able to claim back a portion of the cost of tooth extraction. But bear in mind this will depend on your policy coverage, dental benefits limits and whether any waiting periods apply before you can claim.
Before committing to your tooth extraction procedure, be sure to contact your health fund and confirm your treatment is covered under your current policy.
Are tooth extraction costs covered by Medicare?
Generally, Medicare does not cover costs for routine dental care, including the cost for extracting a tooth. However, there are some exceptions where Medicare may cover the cost for dental treatment, such as:
- Certain dental services received when you’re a hospital inpatient, either because of your underlying medical condition or the severity of the procedure
- Cases where receiving the specific dental service is linked to the success of a covered medical treatment you need (e.g. a tooth extraction to treat a mouth infection before receiving cancer treatment like chemotherapy)
For eligible children aged 0 to 17, the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) does cover tooth extractions. The CBDS covers up to $1,132 per child for basic dental services over two calendar years.
Why are teeth removed and can they be replaced?
Dentists typically see tooth extraction as a ‘last resort’ treatment and will always try to save the natural tooth through other restorative treatments where possible. If there’s a chance your tooth can be restored successfully, your dentist may recommend an alternative treatment such as dental fillings, dental crowns or root canal therapy.
However, if the prognosis for restoring the natural tooth is poor, tooth removal will likely become the best course of action.
What are the most common reasons for tooth extraction?
If your affected tooth is unable to be saved or restored with other treatments and it’s putting your surrounding teeth and gums at risk, your dentist will likely recommend tooth extraction.
Some of the most common scenarios where a tooth must be removed include:
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Emergency dental cases, such as trauma or injury to the teeth or mouth
- Tooth infection or severe decay
- Gum disease
- Orthodontic cases, such as overcrowded teeth
Options to replace an extracted tooth
Unless you had a wisdom tooth extraction or had teeth removed to help with overcrowding, your dentist will typically recommend that you replace the extracted tooth. This is because if you don’t replace a missing tooth, it can result in further oral health issues in future, such as reduced oral function, jaw bone loss, teeth shifting and bite misalignment, and TMJ.
Thankfully, there are many options for replacing missing teeth, including:
- Dental implants
- All-on-4 dental implants
- Traditional dentures
Got a question about tooth extraction costs?
If you’d like to know more about the cost for extracting a tooth, wisdom tooth removal or whether tooth extraction is the right treatment option for you, just give us a call on (08) 8725 2441 for our Mount Gambier dental practice or on (03) 5568 2577 for our Port Fairy dental practice — or easily fill out our online contact form.
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