How Much Does Tooth Extraction Cost?

At first you must understand that is the objective of the entire dental industry to attempt all measures to maintain all of your natural teeth. So, a tooth extraction (Drs. Leal, Spangler, and Johnson) is only necessary after other procedures have been exhausted. The extraction may be the result of an unfortunate accident in which the broken tooth cannot accept a crown. It may be the result of excessive decay such that the tooth cannot be saved. The tooth might be contributing to gum disease and it is to your benefit to have it removed. Finally, it might be an unnecessary wisdom tooth that is causing crowding in your mouth.

The two Different Tooth Extraction Procedures

The cost for a tooth extraction has a very wide range due to the difference in extraction procedures. You may have an easily accessible broken front tooth which will need some local anesthetic to numb the area and then it will simply be pulled with a plier like instrument called forceps. The second method is a surgical extraction, used for situations like impacted wisdom teeth. This may require a deeper sedation to mitigate any discomfort and anxiety. Then a surgical incision exposes the impacted tooth which then will be removed. If the tooth has begun to grow to the jawbone there might be some additional complications. Once the tooth is removed the site needs to be closed with sutures.

The Variations in Tooth Extraction costs

Simple tooth extraction costs can range from $150 to $400. If oral surgery is included the costs can go from $800 to $4,000. Some of the following variables contribute to this wide range.

• Where you live plays a big role in foundational costs. It has been proven that procedures are more expensive on both coasts versus the Midwest.
• The tooth’s location in your mouth and the time spent to extract that tooth plays a second role. Front versus back and the number of roots involved can make a difference in the time involved.
• As just mentioned, the number of roots changes the complexity of any extraction. One versus four make a difference in the procedure as well as the amount of anesthesia.
• The introduction of anesthesia and the different types of sedation. A local numbing agent, laughing gas or an IV sedation all have different objectives as well as related costs.
• A broken tooth may need more extraction time with the introduction of a second-hand instrument called an elevator to help grasp the tooth.
• The number of x-rays will contribute to the range in costs as well.

The Healing Process will have variables as well

Now that you have identified the many different types of tooth extraction procedures you can see that the healing process will have variables as well. You will be asked to be diligent about your oral hygiene to give the site a chance to heal properly. The smaller hole from a front tooth extraction will take less time to heal than the site of a surgical extraction of wisdom teeth where sutures were needed.

More on Tooth Extractions : Extracting Wisdom Teeth