How Much Does a Tooth Extraction Cost?

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Long story short

Simple tooth extractions can cost between around $75 and $30

If the tooth is easy to access, your dentist can remove it without much fuss.

Surgical extractions can cost from around $250 up to $4,000

These are trickier procedures for teeth that are broken, impacted, or hard to reach.

Extras cover helps with tooth extractions, but waiting periods might apply

You’ll generally wait two months for simple extractions and 12 months for major dental.

What is a tooth extraction?

A tooth extraction is exactly what it sounds like: a dentist or oral surgeon taking out a tooth. While dentists these days prefer to save natural teeth whenever possible with treatments like fillings or root canals, sometimes getting rid of them is the best way forward. 

You might need a tooth pulled for several reasons: 

• severe decay or damage that can’t be repaired
• advanced gum disease that has loosened the tooth
• a deep infection inside the tooth (an abscess)
• overcrowding of teeth
• trauma impacting your teeth
• impacted wisdom teeth causing pain or other problems. 

How much does a tooth extraction cost?

Let’s get down to the brass tacks. The cost of pulling a tooth in Australia can vary wildly – and nope, it’s definitely not a one-price-fits-all situation. 

For a simple extraction, you’re generally looking at anywhere from around $75 to $300 per tooth.

For a surgical extraction, the price jumps because it’s more involved. You can expect to pay between $250 and $550 or more per tooth. For really complex cases, this could climb higher – like up to $4,000. Ouch – that bites!

Wisdom tooth removal is often in a league of its own. Removing a single wisdom tooth might set you back between $275 and $700, depending on where the tooth is. For instance, upper wisdom teeth can set you back from $275 to $400, and lower ones can cost anywhere between $300 and $700.

If you’re getting all four removed at once (very brave, by the way), the total cost could get up to $1,800.

These prices are just a ballpark figure. The final bill depends on factors like: 

• your dentist’s or surgeon’s fees
• the location of the clinic
• the type of anaesthetic used (local vs general)
• the tooth you’re trying to get rid of
• the complexity of your specific case
• whether you have dental insurance. 

Are there other out-of-pocket costs for a tooth extraction?

The extraction itself is just one part of the puzzle. There are other potential costs to factor in. Before the procedure, you’ll likely need a consultation and an X-ray, which come with their own fees.

The type of anaesthesia or sedation will also affect the final bill, with a general anaesthetic (where you’re put to sleep) costing significantly more than a local one. Not to mention the anaesthetist fees, which could be covered by your private health insurance if you have hospital cover that includes dental surgery (that means a silver or gold plan, or possibly bronze plus).

Are there other costs after a tooth extraction?

After the tooth is gone, you’re not necessarily done spending. You might need to manage your recovery, which could involve paying for pain medication.

More importantly, you need to think about what to do with the new gap in your mouth. Leaving a space can cause other teeth to shift, affecting your bite and smile. Your dentist might recommend a replacement, like a dental implant or a bridge. These are major procedures with significant costs, running into the thousands, so it’s a separate financial decision to plan for.

How long will I have to wait for a tooth extraction?

Let’s tackle the answer to this in two ways – how long you’ll have to wait for a dentist to extract your tooth, and whether you need to serve a waiting period with your health fund. 

Helpful tip

Thinking of switching health funds? Good news – insurers will honour the dental waiting periods you’ve already served. Just make sure you’re moving to the same or lower level of cover. If you’re upgrading, like adding major dental, you’ll need to serve the full wait.  

Shopping around for health insurance is a no-brainer, really. Regularly comparing policies can help you sink your teeth into better value, extra perks, or a fund that’s a better fit for your needs. Life changes, and so do your dental needs, so don’t bite off more than you can chew with the wrong cover.   

Andres Gutierrez

General Manager – Health

What level of health insurance do I need to cover a tooth extraction?

Private health insurance can be a big help in covering tooth extractions. You’ll typically need extras cover that includes dental cover, although more complex tooth extractions (like dental surgery) could also be taken care of by hospital cover.

General dental

This often covers simple extractions in the dentist’s chair, plus your routine stuff like check-ups, cleans, and fillings. General dental is often included in entry-level extras policies (and you might find an item like ‘dental – routine’ or ‘preventative and general dental’ in some policies).

Major dental

This is for surgical extractions plus other big-ticket items like crowns and bridges. Major dental is usually found in higher-level extras policies. If your procedure needs to be done in a hospital under general anaesthetic, hospital cover can help pay for the hospital admission and theatre fees. Your extras cover will then contribute towards the dental item numbers from the surgeon.

Hospital cover

If there’s a need for complex dental surgery, then your hospital fees could be covered by your health insurance. Hospital treatment for wisdom tooth extractions, for instance, could be covered under a silver or gold policy, or sometimes bronze plus.

Frequently asked questions

Health cover doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth

iSelect makes it easy to compare policies and find one that doesn’t leave a bad taste in your mouth. Believe it or not, it can be a painless process. Jump online to use the iSelect comparison tool or give our friendly team a buzz on 1800 784 772 to start comparing health insurance today!