Tooth extraction cost

Procedures for tooth extractions can be divided into two categories: simple tooth extraction (usually for easily accessible, visible teeth) and surgical tooth extraction (for impacted or difficult-to-reach teeth). Surgical tooth extractions are usually more complex and, therefore, have a higher cost.

Simple extractions are tooth removals that can be performed without the need for an incision or other special techniques. This is only possible for easily accessible teeth, such as front teeth. The procedure can usually be performed at a dental clinic.

Surgical extractions are tooth removals that require an incision into the gum line and, in some cases, the removal of surrounding bone to provide access. These procedures are usually for cases where the teeth aren’t easily accessible (e.g. impacted wisdom teeth) or the infection is beneath the gum. Due to their complexity, surgical extractions typically cost more than simple extractions, as they may require sedation and be performed in a hospital.

Yes, health insurance can help reduce out-of-pocket expenses for tooth extraction, provided you have the right level of cover. Tooth extractions performed in a dentist’s clinic are covered by extras, either under the general or major dental. If a surgical extraction is performed in a hospital, you’ll need hospital cover as well as extras to claim.

‘Dental cover’ is a general term used to refer to potential dental treatment and benefits covered by your policy. The specific categories you’ll usually see in your extras cover are general dental, major dental, orthodontic and endodontic. Dental extraction will usually fall under either general dental or major dental.

The category that covers your tooth extraction depends on a few key factors. If the tooth is being removed at a dentist’s clinic, it may fall under general dental, whereas it’ll typically fall under major dental if it’s a surgical extraction (e.g. wisdom teeth removal).

Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental services, including tooth extraction. The exceptions are if you have the procedure performed through public dental services or the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Usually, if you don’t have health insurance, you’ll have to pay the full cost of the tooth extraction out of pocket.

There are a few exceptions where a tooth extraction may be covered by Medicare, which are:

• Through public dental services (must be performed in an Australian hospital and be considered a medically necessary inpatient service).
• For children aged 0-17 years (through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule [CDBS]).

Yes. Waiting periods typically range from around 2 months for general dental and up to 12 months for major dental, but this can vary depending on the fund and policy. If you need to be admitted to the hospital for your procedure, there is a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions and a 2-month period for new services before your hospital insurance will provide cover.

The waiting period you’ll need to serve before you can make a claim will depend on several things, including your health fund, your policy, the procedure you’re making a claim on and whether it’s considered general dental or major dental.

If you’re changing over from one fund to another and you’ve already served a waiting period for dental services, chances are you won’t have to serve them again if you’re switching over to a policy that provides the same or lower cover. However, if you’re upgrading your level of cover and want to claim for a treatment you weren’t previously covered for, you’ll need to serve a waiting period.