How Much Does Tooth Extraction Cost?
Having a tooth extracted is not a glamorous procedure we all desire. However, the treatment procedure is usually important to help preserve your current and future oral health. If your dentist has recently told you it is time to have a tooth extracted, it is best not to delay the procedure, even if the timing isn’t perfect for your finances. To get started, it’s a good idea to do some research to estimate how much the procedure will likely cost. Here is some more information on tooth extraction and the estimated costs of the procedure.
Why is a tooth extraction procedure needed?
The tooth extraction procedure is never a dentists first treatment choice. In fact, in most cases, a dentist will try several dental treatments prior to deciding upon extracting a tooth. The important thing to keep in mind is that your dentist is not extracting a tooth because they are giving up, but rather with the goal of persevering your future oral health. Here are a few reasons why a dentist may decide to extract a tooth:
- Impacted wisdom teeth. When wisdom teeth are impacted, or not fully broken through the gumline, they can cause cysts or infections to develop. Impacted wisdom teeth that are causing infection and serious pain should be removed immediately.
- Infected teeth. Tooth decay left untreated can lead to a tooth infection. Infected teeth are not only painful, but can be very dangerous and may result in an infection that can spread through the whole body. In order to prevent the spread of infection, infected teeth should be removed as soon as identified.
- Oral accident. If an accident or injury to the mouth occurs, it will not always result in an emergency dental procedure. However, some accidents, such as a teeth cracked below the gum line, may need a tooth extraction.
The Cost of Tooth Extraction
There are many factors that can influence the costs of a tooth extraction procedure including geographic region, state of the teeth, expertise of the oral surgeon, and the amount of anesthesia required for the procedure. For example in the case of wisdom teeth extraction: if wisdom teeth are fully erupted through the gums then the surgery will be relatively easy. However, if all of the wisdom teeth are fully impacted, the costs may be significantly higher. A general rule is that the cost of a tooth extraction can range between $300 to $600 per tooth.
A tooth extraction should not impact the look or function of your smile, however it will help you minimize the risk of future adverse complications. The best way to start budgeting for an extraction procedure is to have a conversation with your dentist or oral surgeon about the expected costs. This will help you narrow down the estimated costs based on your geographic area, the state of your teeth, and the experience of your dental team. Next, you can contact your dental insurance provider and see what portion of the procedure may be covered by your policy. The good news is that most insurance policies will cover some or all of the costs of the extraction procedure.
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