Upfront Summary: Tooth extractions without insurance tend to cost somewhere between $150-$2,300.
Is it time for you to seek care from a dentist or oral surgeon?
If you’ve been experiencing pain or discomfort in your mouth that doesn’t seem to go away, it might be a sign that you need to have one of your teeth removed. It’s possible this pain is from an infection or a cavity that hasn’t received the care necessary to treat it. If something feels off, it’s probably time for you to visit a professional. They can figure out if extraction is necessary and guide you further.
Signs you may need to have your tooth extracted:
- Sensitivity towards the back of your mouth
- Bleeding or swelling
- Pain in or around your neck, jaw, or mouth
- Headaches that feel as if they start at the jaw
- Bad breath that can’t be conquered by brushing
- It’s loose
- It’s fractured
Even if the cost of tooth extraction without insurance seems daunting, you really shouldn’t ignore the problem. The body is an amazing thing, but when it comes to teeth don’t expect issues to go away on their own. If you put off a dental visit for too long things will become worse. When this happens, extracting the tooth becomes more of a challenge, making the issue pricier to fix.
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Is insurance necessary for seeking dental care?
Many people don’t have insurance, or they do have it but choose not to pay for additional coverage. Dental insurance tends to be one of those things that comes at an extra cost.
Typically dental insurance plans use a 100-80-50 cost-sharing model, meaning it covers:
- 100% of the cost of your annual oral exams/preventable care
- 80% of the cost of fillings, root canals, and small procedures
- 50% of the cost of crowns, bridges, and large procedures
Your teeth are one of the most important parts of the body to keep healthy as oral health is directly related to many conditions and health issues such as endocarditis. Not taking care of your teeth can actually impact other areas on the body. This is why dental insurance comes in handy.
It may seem like you’re saving money by not paying for a dental insurance plan, but depending on your dental health, it can cost quite a bit more to pay on your own as issues arise. That being said, insurance is not something you need to have in order to get your teeth worked on.
If you will be covering the cost of dental work out-of-pocket, here are a few more things to consider.
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What affects the price of tooth extractions?
There is no one-price-fits-all when it comes to dental procedures.
When a tooth is at a point where it can no longer be repaired, extraction might be necessary. The extraction typically requires some type of anesthesia regardless of if you’ll be going through with a surgery or not. Anesthesia can be rather expensive for someone without insurance, but to make sure patients aren’t in excruciating pain it doesn’t tend to be a choice.
There are some aspects beyond anesthesia to take into account as well. The price can range depending on where you go for the procedure and the condition of your teeth. If your teeth have become pretty bad then the visit will likely be a bit more challenging to perform, making it take more time to complete.
When you go in for your exam they will likely need to perform an X-Ray as well. The price can go up even further depending on the teeth that surround the one needing extraction. Sometimes these teeth are impacted which can raise the price by at least a few hundred dollars. There might also be additional costs for medication and aftercare.
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Some of the factors that affect the cost of tooth extraction include:
- Severe tooth decay or cavities that can’t be reversed
- Infection
- If your tooth is broken or fractured
- The use of sedatives or anesthesia
- Initial exam and X-rays
- Complexity and type of extraction
- Medication and aftercare
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What types of tooth extractions are there?
The price of your extraction will depend on the state of your teeth. Some extractions require surgery and some require removing multiple teeth. It helps to be aware of the types of extractions that exist so you know exactly what you’re getting into.
1. Simple extraction
Simple extractions are easy enough that no surgery is required. These may need to be performed if you have gum disease or if your teeth are loose because of some sort of incident. Some babies need this kind of tooth extraction so they can make room for the permanent teeth that are trying to come in. In the case of a simple extraction the dentist will be able to remove the already loose tooth with minimal effort. The simplicity of this type of extraction makes it the cheapest on the list.
2. Complicated extraction
These extractions are tough enough to perform that they tend to require surgery. If your teeth have a large amount of decay there might not be enough of your original tooth left to simply grab and remove it. If this is the case, more effort will need to be made in the removal of this tooth. If it’s bad enough you will likely need some sort of sedation or anesthesia which adds to the price.
3. Wisdom tooth surgery or an odontectomy
This type of tooth extraction requires a surgical procedure where the gums must be opened. Sometimes bone needs to be removed as well. Many people face issues with wisdom teeth making this type of extraction pretty common. When teeth don’t have the room they need to grow, it causes pain and sometimes more severe issues such as infection. In some cases only one needs to be removed and other times all four.
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What is the price range for tooth extraction?
The cost of tooth extraction without insurance can vary greatly. It’s best to ask a dental office about the total cost before going into any procedures. If you don’t already have a dentist you see on occasion, feel free to call around to find out if there’s a difference in the rates offered near you. Be sure to ask that everything be included in the quoted price they give you.
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Here’s an idea of what to expect as far as the price of your extraction.
First you will have to sit through an initial exam that will run about $50-$350. If you need X-rays this will add $20-$250 to your appointment. For a simple extraction without insurance you can expect to pay between $150 to $300 per tooth. If your extraction requires surgery the price can go up to $2,300.
Basically, tooth extractions without insurance tend to cost somewhere between $150-$2,300.
Complicated extractions are pretty common and are even more expensive. When it comes to a simple wisdom teeth extraction, this procedure can cost $75-$200 per tooth.
If the teeth are impacted this goes up to $225-$600 per tooth. If you need to remove four impacted wisdom teeth this can be as high as $3,000.
Wisdom teeth extraction will run somewhere between $200-$3,000.
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In summary, depending on the severity of your teeth damage you can expect to pay
- $50-$350 for your initial exam
- $20-$250 for X-rays
- $150-$300 for simple extraction per tooth
- Up to $2,300 for extractions that require surgery
- $75-$200 for simple wisdom teeth extraction per tooth
- $225-$600 for impacted wisdom teeth extraction per tooth
- Up to $3,000 for extraction of four impacted wisdom teeth
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Are there ways to help pay for tooth extraction when you don’t have insurance?
The price for dental care can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t have insurance. Even with insurance the price often runs high. You should never ignore tooth damage even if finances are getting in the way of taking action. If your teeth are causing you pain, chances are they need to be looked at sooner rather than later. There are a few ways to help lessen the weight of the price.
1. Flexible spending account (FSA)
These are only offered by certain employers so not everyone can enjoy the benefit of an FSA. However, the majority of employers do offer this benefit. With an FSA, a certain amount of pretax income is taken out of your pay and made available to strictly cover the cost of any healthcare you may need. Similarly, you might want to take advantage of an HSA.
2. A payment plan
The majority of dental offices will allow you to make monthly payments. This won’t lower the cost but it will break it up into smaller amounts that are easier to take care of over time. Most dental offices will work with you as they don’t want you to be overwhelmed by the cost. Ask about affordable options offered wherever you choose to go.
3. CareCredit
If you don’t want to use a regular credit card you might consider applying for CareCredit. They’re here to help you pay for medical expenses when insurance doesn’t. Most medical facilities will accept CareCredit. You can check if you qualify by using their website.
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