How Much Does a Dentist Charge to Pull a Tooth? Your 2024 Cost Guide

We’ve all felt that worry—that mix of pain and fear about money—when a dentist says “tooth extraction.” Maybe you have a sore molar, a wisdom tooth that hurts, or a tooth that’s too damaged to fix. Whatever brought you here, you want to know: How much does it cost to get a tooth pulled by a dentist in 2024? You want clear answers. You want to know why the price changes, how insurance works, and what to do if you don’t have insurance. Most of all, you want easy-to-understand, honest help.

You’re in the right place.

Let’s break everything down, step by step, so you feel good about your choices and can take care of your health and your wallet.

In This Article

• Average Tooth Extraction Costs (2024 Estimates)
• Key Factors Influencing Tooth Extraction Costs
• How to Afford a Tooth Extraction Without Insurance
• What to Expect During a Tooth Extraction Procedure
• When Is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?
• Alternatives to Tooth Extraction (And Their Costs)
• Your Healthy Takeaway

Average Tooth Extraction Costs (2024 Estimates)

Here’s the big question: What’s it going to cost? The simple answer: It depends. But you’re not looking for a “maybe,” so let’s get specific.

Simple Tooth Extraction Cost (Non-Surgical)

What is this?

A simple extraction removes a tooth you can see in your mouth (like a tooth that hasn’t broken off yet or isn’t stuck in the gums). Dentists numb you up, use tools like small levers and pliers to loosen and take out the tooth. No slicing or cutting needed.

• Estimated cost range (no insurance): $75 – $300 for each tooth
• With dental insurance: $50 – $200 after you pay your share (most plans cover 50–80% once you’ve paid the required amount)
• Remember: This does not include X-rays, exams, sleeping medicine, or extra care if there are problems.

Surgical Tooth Extraction Cost (Impacted or Tough)

What’s different here?

If a tooth is broken at the gum or not showing, or it’s stuck (like wisdom teeth), you need a surgical extraction. This is usually done by a dental surgeon. You might get stitches after. Sometimes they have to cut into the gums, move bone, or break the tooth to get it out.

• Estimated cost range (no insurance): $150 – $650 for each tooth
• With insurance: $100 – $400 after you pay your share
• Extra charges if you need sleeping medicine in a vein or special pictures like CT scans

Wisdom Tooth Extraction Cost

Not sure what “impacted” means?

• Non-impacted wisdom tooth: The tooth is showing and can come out easily.
• Impacted wisdom tooth: The tooth is under the gum, partway in the jawbone, or all the way below the bone.

Average wisdom tooth removal costs in 2024:

• Not stuck: $250 – $750 for each tooth
• Soft tissue impaction: $250 – $750 for each tooth
• Partway or all the way in bone: $450 – $1,100 for each tooth
• More than one: Most clinics lower the price if you get two or more taken out together.

Here’s a table for easy reading:

Prices show national averages but can be higher or lower, depending on where you live, the dentist, and how hard the removal is. For example: a student in Georgia paid $1,400 for four wisdom teeth (insurance paid half), while a retiree in California paid $195 themselves for one simple extraction at a cheap clinic.

Key Factors Influencing Tooth Extraction Costs

Sticker price isn’t everything. Lots of things can change your final bill.

Type of Extraction

• Simple vs. Surgical: Surgical costs more because it’s more involved and you might need a dental surgeon.
• Broken teeth or teeth under the gum usually need surgery.

Anesthesia & Sedation

• Numbing shot: Included in main price.
• Laughing gas: Adds $50–$150.
• Pill to relax you (oral sedation): $200–$500.
• IV sedation: $300–$800 for each hour.
• Being put all the way to sleep (general anesthesia): $500–$1,500+ for each hour, usually just in hospitals.

Bigger amounts of sedation make the price go up and mean you might need to go to a special office or center.

Where You Live

• Big cities, especially on the coasts, cost more.
• Small town offices might cost less, but dental surgeons might be rare.

Type of Dentist

• General dentists can do simple and some hard extractions. They usually cost less.
• Oral surgeons charge more, but they handle the tough cases like stuck teeth.

Before the Extraction

• Checkup and X-rays: $50–$200. A bigger X-ray might be needed before wisdom or tough extractions.
• Antibiotics: You might need these if the tooth is infected (adds $10–$50 to your cost).

After the Extraction

• Treatment for dry socket: $50–$200 extra if you need extra care.
• Follow-ups: Usually free for basic care, but you might pay more if something goes wrong.

Dental Insurance Coverage

• Coverage differs a lot: Many plans pay 50–80% of the cost, but only after you’ve paid your share.
• Going to a dentist in your plan’s network usually means you pay less.
• Yearly insurance limits: If you’re close to the max, you may pay more.
• Medicaid/CHIP/Medicare: What’s covered changes depending on your state and if you’re a child or adult.

For more on insurance for tough dental jobs, check out our implant insurance article.

How to Afford a Tooth Extraction Without Insurance

No dental insurance? You’re not alone, and there are still ways to get help.

Dental Payment Plans

Ask your dentist about payment plans. Many work with companies like CareCredit, letting you pay over time—sometimes with no interest if paid off soon.

Dental Discount Plans

These aren’t insurance but more like a club card. You pay each year and get lower rates at offices in the plan. You can often save 10–60% on an extraction.

Community Clinics & Dental Schools

Community dental offices may charge less based on what you earn or get help from public programs. Dental schools offer cheap care from students (doctors watch them). The visits may take longer, but you save money.

Public Programs & Charity Clinics

• Medicaid and CHIP: Might pay for extractions for kids and sometimes adults.
• Charity clinics: Look for free or cheap care from local or national groups (like Missions of Mercy or Dental Lifeline Network).
• State and federally funded clinics can help with emergencies.

Use FSA or HSA

If you have a flexible spending account or health savings account, use that before-tax money to pay for tooth removal.

Try to Bargain

It never hurts to ask. Some dentists cut prices if you pay cash, need many teeth out at once, or join their in-office budget plan.

Looking for more ways to save? See our guide to affordable dental care extraction options.

What to Expect During a Tooth Extraction Procedure

Never had a tooth pulled? It can sound scary, but here’s what really happens.

The First Visit & X-rays

• Checkup: The dentist asks you questions, looks at the tooth, and might take X-rays to see the root and nearby stuff.
• Plan: You’ll talk about what kind of removal you need, different ways to numb or relax, and get a full cost rundown.

The Extraction

Healing & Aftercare

• Pain control: Over-the-counter pain meds usually work well for simple cases. The dentist might give you something stronger after surgery.
• Cold packs: Help with swelling for the first day.
• Food: Eat soft stuff, no hot drinks, no straws, and don’t chew on that side for a bit.
• No smoking: Very important for healing.
• Follow all instructions so you don’t get dry socket—a very painful problem when the blood plug falls out too soon.

Most people are better in a few days. Surgery or more teeth might need more rest.

When Is a Tooth Extraction Necessary?

Dentists always try to save a tooth if they can. A pull is only done when nothing else works. Here are common reasons:

• Big cavity or tooth infection: When a tooth is too far gone to fill or fix with a root canal.
• Serious gum disease: When the bone and support for the tooth are so bad the tooth gets loose or infected.
• Impacted wisdom teeth: If they’re stuck, hurt, are infected, or crowd other teeth.
• Making space for braces: Sometimes, teeth are pulled to help move others.
• Badly broken tooth: If fixing with a cap or other ways won’t work.

Still unsure if you need a tooth out? Ask your dentist. What feels like a last resort is sometimes the fastest way to feel better and stay healthy.

Alternatives to Tooth Extraction (And Their Costs)

Before asking, “Can you just take it out?”—here are other options. Pulling a tooth is fast but not always the best or only fix.

Root Canal

What is it?

The dentist removes the bad inside stuff, cleans the tooth, fills it, and often puts a cap on it.

• Cost: $700–$1,300 (front tooth), $1,000–$2,000 (molar)—plus the cost of a crown.
• Good: Saves your real tooth; takes away pain and infection.
• Not so good: Might need more than one visit, and a crown is extra money.

Dental Fillings or Crowns

• Filling: Patches a cavity or small break. Cost: $100–$400 for each tooth.
• Crown: Strong cover for a damaged tooth. Cost: $1,000–$2,500.

When an Extraction Isn’t Needed

• Small chips or cracks can often be fixed with a filling or tooth-colored patch.
• Early-stage tooth aches can sometimes be stopped if you get dental care quickly.

Thinking about fixing your teeth? Good crown and bridge lab work or custom veneer lab work can help your teeth look better and last longer.

Why look at other options?

Pulling a tooth stops pain quickly—but missing teeth can make it harder to chew or talk and can change your smile. Talk with your dentist about all choices so you feel good and know what’s best.

Your Healthy Takeaway

Let’s end with some helpful, simple advice:

• Tooth extraction costs in 2024 are $75 to $1,100 for each tooth. The price depends on how hard it is, what kind of medicine you need, where you live, your insurance, and who does the work.
• Ask for a full price list before you get your tooth pulled—and make sure you see each cost, from checkup to follow-up.
• Dental insurance usually pays 50–80% for simple extractions after your share is paid up. No insurance? Try payment plans, discount programs, community or school clinics, and public help. Ask about cash discounts, too.
• Don’t wait if you’re hurting or have an infection. Waiting can make things worse—and more expensive.
• Check other options. Sometimes a root canal, crown, or filling can save the tooth. Ask what’s best for you.
• Follow all aftercare steps. Good care at home helps you heal and keeps away problems.
• Take care of your teeth: Going to the dentist early saves you time, money, and pain.

Empowering Next Steps

• If you think you need a tooth out, book a meeting to get checked and get a price list made for you.
• Bring a list of your questions—don’t let anyone rush you.
• Tell them about your budget. Dentists may have payment options or know cheap places to go.
• Your mouth health matters for your whole body. Don’t let money stress keep you from getting help—there’s always a way.

Want to learn more about dental fixes, implants, or lab work? See our helpful pages on dental implant, china dental lab, or find out about a digital dental lab.

In short:

You’re not alone. Getting a tooth out can feel scary, but with the right info, plans, and a good dentist, you can get through it—and keep your mouth (and wallet) happy for years to come.

Sources: American Dental Association (ADA), National Dental Advisory Service (NDAS) Fee Survey, Delta Dental, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Prices listed are averages—ask your dentist for a real quote for you.

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Remember: Everyone’s mouth and life are different. Talk to your dentist, stay informed, and take your next step to a healthier, happier mouth!