How Much Does it Cost to Get a Tooth Pulled?
A tooth extraction costs between $250 and $800 depending on the type of tooth extraction you need, the dentist you visit and where you live.
See exact pricing at general dentists in your area with the Care 500 Series Plan to learn more about each type of extraction without insurance and tooth extraction cost with our dental discount plan. Or see the best savings at specialists with the Dental Access Plan (powered by the Aetna Dental Access network).
Do you need a lot of dental work done by an oral surgeon? Our Dental Access Plan (powered by the Aetna Dental Access network) provides 15-50% savings at surgeons, other specialists and general dentists. So we often recommend adding the Dental Access plan when you may need to see a specialist.
Types of Tooth Extractions
There are several types of extractions. These include:
- Simple tooth extraction
- Surgical extraction
- Wisdom teeth removal
- Extraction of impacted tooth
- Extraction of bony impacted tooth
Depending on the severity of the procedure you need, anesthesia and/or numbing medication may also be involved. Here is some more information about each extraction.
A Simple Tooth Extraction
In a simple extraction, your dentist loosens surrounding gums to remove your tooth, grasping your tooth with forceps until it comes out. This procedure is typically done at a general dentist.
Complex Surgical Tooth Extraction
Your dentist will do a complex surgical extraction if there is no enamel showing above the gum line or if the tooth breaks off, leaving its roots still connected to the underlying bone.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth (or “third molars”) are usually removed at some point. Even if they are impacted, they can become infected from germs from adjacent teeth. And if they fully erupt, they can often cause overcrowding that can lead to pain and problems with your bite.
This type of extraction can vary from a straightforward removal with forceps of a fully erupted tooth to complex surgery for a bony impaction. Wisdom teeth removal is commonly done by an oral surgeon. Find cheap wisdom teeth removal near you.
Impacted Tooth Extraction
Removal of impacted teeth can be necessary if a tooth has not fully erupted through the gum. Because a tooth that is impacted can eventually result in more serious dental health problems, dentists usually recommend extracting them sooner rather than later. The dentist will make an incision into the gums around the tooth, creating a flap and then remove the impacted tooth through the loosened flap. Some general dentists can perform an impacted tooth extraction but may refer you to an oral surgeon for this procedure.
Bony Impaction
What happens next depends on how much of the tooth remains above the bone. The extraction might be performed with the use of forceps as described above, or it could become more complicated. If the tooth is submerged below the bone or is lying on its side, the dentist must remove the surrounding bone to expose the tooth, then break it into pieces for easier removal.
At the time of extraction, your dentist might also, for an extra fee, take steps to prevent bone loss and atrophy of your jaw. This type of extraction is also usually done by an oral surgeon, but speak with your general dentist first to find out for sure.
Need a tooth pulled?
Download our guide to make sure you have all the facts.
To maximize savings, see a qualified general dentist. However, listen to your dentist if he refers you to a specialist. Specialists have years of study in that particular area and you’ll still save with your plan at a specialist.
How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost with a Dental Savings Plan?
The cost of a tooth extraction with a dental savings plan is between $60 and $650 per tooth, depending on the type of extraction you need, where you live and the dentist you visit.
Many people who have no dental insurance opt to use dental savings plans like the Care 500 Series Plan to cut the cost of dental treatments, including tooth extractions.
The Care 500 Series Plan costs $119/year for one individual dental plan or $199/year for a family of 3 or more.
Who Can Pull My Tooth?
A general dentist or an oral surgeon can pull your tooth. Both have experience with extractions. Some will argue oral surgeons are better for this treatment. It all depends on the dentist. For complicated tooth extractions, an oral surgeon may be better suited to handle the treatment. Just remember extractions at a general dentist near you will cost less than an extraction at an oral surgeon, but it may be worth the extra cost and require fewer trips since they generally don’t service as many patients as a general dentist.
Need an Oral Surgeon?
With the Careington Care 500 plan mentioned above, you will receive 20% discount at an oral surgeon near you when you use the plan at an in-network provider. However, with the Dental Access dental savings plan, powered by the Aetna Dental Access Network, you’ll save 15-50% at an in-network oral surgeon. Give us a call at 855-927-4406 to learn more.
Could I Pull My Own Tooth?
At-home tooth extractions are highly discouraged. Regardless of its affordability, pulling your own tooth without proper training and tools can be very dangerous for you. It can end up causing you more pain and more expense in the long run, especially if you contract an infection from the extraction or break the tooth in the process.
There are affordable alternatives to dental insurance that can save you money on a tooth extraction at the dental office, as mentioned above.
Why Do I Need My Tooth Pulled?
Dentists recommend tooth extractions for several reasons:
Severe Pain – If you’re in severe pain, pulling a tooth may be the simplest, cheapest and quickest way to find tooth relief.
Unrepairable – Your dentist may also recommend extraction if a damaged tooth cannot be fixed, or if fixing it is impractical (e.g. if it’s extensively decayed below the gumline).
Impacted Tooth – Impacted teeth can have a negative effect on your overall oral health if not extracted in a timely fashion.
Overcrowded Teeth – Teeth that are extremely overcrowded can affect your ability to bite and chew properly.
Conclusion
Whatever the reason you need to get a tooth pulled, you can now enter your dentist’s office armed with the knowledge you need to understand what’s happening in your mouth.
If you have no dental insurance, find cheap tooth extractions near you by using money-saving resources like our dental savings plans. Online research, as well as inquiring at your dentist’s office, can provide you with valuable pointers that can make paying for your extractions much easier.
Summary – Why is the Preferred Plan our best selling plan for extractions?
- Best savings at general dentists AND specialists
- Exact procedure prices online with Care 500 Series
- Largest list of dentists with Dental Access
- Millions of members, in business since 1979
- Plan priced at an everyday low price, starting at $169 a year
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist with any questions you may have regarding your oral health.
