Contents: How much | Worth it? | Insurance coverage | Appointment | FAQ

Tooth extraction is an oral surgery where a tooth is completely removed. There are numerous reasons why a tooth gets extracted such as:

  • Impacted wisdom teeth
  • Broken tooth due to dental trauma or injury
  • Severe tooth decay
  • Overcrowding
  • Infection
  • Insufficient space for orthodontic treatment
  • Patients who need to undergo chemotherapy or an organ transplant need to have damaged teeth to be extracted to keep a better oral health.

A simple tooth extraction is generally done by a dentist or an oral surgeon. However, depending on the severity of the tooth’s deterioration, it might require a surgical tooth extraction. Both types of extraction are usually administered with a local, general or IV anesthesia.

Contact Us to find out more information about the tooth extraction service we provide.

How much is a tooth extraction?

There are various aspects that affect the cost of a tooth extraction procedure such as the severity of your dental condition, the oral surgeon’s skills, the operation costs, and the additional services required before the removal. The price for tooth removal is about $65 to $300 for a simple gum-erupted extraction while surgical tooth extraction with local anesthesia ranges from $125 to $650. On the other hand, a soft-tissue or complex surgical tooth extraction for fractured teeth costs between $175 and $600. A dental insurance plan may help cover a portion of the total cost of the procedure. Learn supernumerary teeth.

There may also be additional expenses such as diagnostic costs. An initial examination will be conducted followed by a digital x-ray to be able to conclude the affected tooth’s location. The x-ray usually costs around $60 to $150. There are also added treatment options such as using local anesthesia and supplementary costs in case an emergency or an after-hours visit happens. Post-treatment expenses such as prescribed pain relievers, gauze pads, or ice packs can also contribute to the additional fees needed to be paid.

How much does insurance pay for a dental extraction?

A typical dental insurance plan pays up for about 50% to 80% of the cost of tooth removal. This makes the average price of a tooth extraction with insurance to be around $35 to $400. The cost will still depend on the type of tooth removal.

Is pulling a tooth worth it?

A tooth extraction dental surgery is definitely not cheap. However, if a decayed or broken tooth is left untreated, it will only cause further dental problems that can potentially risk not only your oral health but also your overall health. It is crucial to take early actions and consult with a professional dental specialist to solve this. Furthermore, additional fees will only pile up as more complex and expensive dental procedures will be required once the affected tooth is severely damaged.

Paying With and Without Insurance

Although expensive, a tooth extraction surgery is necessary to remove a damaged tooth that can potentially put your oral health at risk and cause further health problems. However, availing this type of oral procedure is still not easy mainly because of the cost. Luckily, there are a few options that can help you lessen a portion of the total amount you need to pay.

Insurance Friendly Dentist

Tooth extraction costs with insurance will significantly lessen the burden of having to pay for the entire cost of the surgery. Depending on the insurance policies, it may help cover a portion of the total cost as long as the teeth are partially or fully impacted. In some insurance providers, however, do not pay for this kind of dental procedure if the teeth aren’t impacted. It is essential to know what your dental insurance covers. Consult with your insurance agent to know more information about your insurance plan.

Harbor Smiles accepts various types of insurance and most PPO plans in Huntington Beach, CA. We also offer a complimentary benefits check and handle all the insurance paperwork to guarantee your benefits are maximized.

Government Help Programs

Unfortunately, Medicare program and Medicaid do not cover tooth extraction surgery. Medicare serves to help people who are at least 65 years of age and will only cover emergency-related dental expenses.

Flexible spending with FSAs

An FSA is an account that you can place a set amount of pretax money to be taken out of your salary for the sole purpose of covering unexpected medical care expenses that may happen throughout the year. This can only be accessed through an employer that provides that option. Numerous employee benefits packages offer this plan. They are normally simple to use with a debit card and can be accessible at any time. For the most part, an FSA will permit reimbursement for prepaid tooth extraction costs up to the chosen sum as long as the fee was paid within the benefit period. Remember that the allotted money for your health care won’t roll over, hence it’s advisable to utilize them before the year ends. You can know more information about FSA’s here.

Health savings with HSAs

HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account to assist people put aside funds for medical expenses that aren’t covered by insurance. HSAs are accessible to individuals who have high deductible health plans (HDHPs). It is funded by a worker and sponsored by an employer. No tax is imposed on the deposited cash on an HSA account. One advantage of HSA from FSA is that your unused HSA funds can roll over into the subsequent year. However, since HSA accounts have a maximum limit of funds you can deposit each year, most people save their money at an earlier time. Remember to talk to both your doctor’s office and your benefits representative since you might have the option to pay your doctor for your tooth extraction and be refunded from your HSA account. Your benefits provider may likewise be able to directly settle the payment to your doctor. Find out more about HSAs.

Dentistry Schools

There might be a possibility that a dental school near your area provides discounts on services. You can search and look if there are nearby dental schools that offer a low cost tooth extraction if you agree to let a student from the school learn by taking your dental implants. A proper dental school will guarantee that a board-certified dental specialist supervises the student who is administering your services.

In House Monthly Payment Plans

You can get some information from the dental office about their available in-house payment plans. Covering the dental expenses is commonly the reason why some people hesitate to use their needed services to improve their oral health and prevent further dental problems.

We at Harbor Smiles have our very own in-house payment plan. With 0% interest, we will be able to provide you the best and most affordable tooth extraction procedure without having a need for an insurance plan. We accept all primary credit cards, including Visa, Master Card, and American Express. Also, we work with outside finance providers such as: CareCredit, GreenSkyCredit, and the Lending Club.

Huntington Beach, Tooth extraction cost

Choosing a dentist who is near to where you live, work, or go to school is important when you want to save time and money. There might be a couple of treatment or follow-up appointments later so having your dental clinic nearby – like Harbor Smiles – will make things more convenient for you. You may search for a dental specialist with positive and excellent feedback for tooth extraction procedures. Feeling comfortable with your dentist is also an essential factor to take into consideration.

FAQs for Extracted Tooth Cost

How much does a tooth extraction cost?

The total cost of a tooth extraction varies on several factors but the average price is between $50 to $200. The cost for a more complicated tooth removal ranges from $175 and $600. Read Teeth Extraction General Dentistry.

Can I get a tooth removed without insurance?

Yes. Even without dental insurance, Dr. Manali Patel DDS will perform the tooth extraction surgery. However, keep in mind that you will have to settle the entire payment for the procedure.

Is it cheaper to get teeth pulled or filled?

It will vary depending on the required work in each treatment at Harbor Smiles. Tooth filling usually costs more if a tooth needs coverage on 5 sides, if the corrosion is too severe, or if the tooth is a molar. On the other hand, a cheaper, simple tooth removal may be performed if a tooth is not heavily damaged or decayed.

Source: Tooth extractions: Simple vs. surgical tooth removal. (2019).