A tooth extraction in Australia can cost anywhere from $75 to $3,000 depending on the severity of the issue, but extras insurance can pay for most or all of the costs. For simple tooth extractions, a policy can cover you for as little as $3 a week.
Simple extractions
A simple tooth extraction costs between $75 and $200 per tooth in Australia. This usually involves removing a tooth that is held in soft tissue or within a minimum amount of bone.
Surgical extractions
A surgical tooth extraction costs between $250 and $450 per tooth due to the complexity of the procedure and additional costs like anesthesia. This kind of extraction is usually required when more of the tooth is below the gum or bone line and therefore tougher to remove.
Wisdom teeth extractions
A simple wisdom tooth extraction costs between $150 to $200 per tooth. If you need local anaesthetic, and the procedure can still be done at the dentist, it's likely to cost closer to $400 per tooth.
Other tooth extraction costs
Tooth extraction cost with anaesthetic
If general anaesthetic is required and you need to be treated in hospital, you could pay as much as $3,000. This is because you're also likely to encounter fees for:
The surgeon
The anaesthetist
The nurse(s)
Keep in mind that these are just cost estimates. The amount you'll be charged will vary depending on where you receive treatment, how much your dentist charges and the severity of your condition.
Additional costs
In addition to the cost of the extraction, you might encounter some other charges. We've listed them below alongside item numbers so you can ask your dentist about how much they'll cost for you.
A consultation (ITEM 013 or 014)
X-rays (ITEM 022)
An OPG (Orthopantomogram) (ITEM 037)
How does Medicare and private health cover tooth extraction?
Medicare doesn't generally cover tooth extractions because it's usually an out of hospital service, which Australia's public health system does not pay any benefits towards. The only circumstances when Medicare might cover public sector dentistry such as tooth extractions include:
Medically necessary treatment. If your oral health is affecting your overall health, there's a valid medical reason and you can't afford to pay the full cost of treatment yourself, you might be able to get covered. You will generally need a referral from your GP.
Concession Card holders. This can include Health Care Cards, Pensioner Concession Cards and Commonwealth Seniors Health Cards.
Child Dental Benefit Schedule. This can include children whose parents are eligible for Medicare and who receive certain Centrelink benefits.
Private cover
Private health insurance can cover tooth extractions. If you require treatment in a hospital, all silver level policies or above include dental surgery. However, you'll generally find dental surgery in many basic policies for around $75 a month.
For simple procedures that don't require hospitalisation, extras cover should be enough. This is much cheaper, often only around $12 a month and can cover tooth extractions under "general dental".
More complex surgical procedures though might require you to pay a little more so that you're covered for "major dental". This is likely to cost you about $27 a month.
Remember that you might have to serve a waiting period before you're covered, unless you get a policy without one. ahm's Lifestyle Extras, for example, has a $500 general dental limit with no waiting period for less than $13 a week.
What kind of cover do I need for a tooth extraction?
General dental
Simple tooth extractions can be covered by general dental which is included in basic extras cover. It costs around $3 a week. You might still have some out of pocket fees depending on the benefit percentage you choose. The average benefit-to-fee ratio is around 60%.
Major dental
Major dental covers more complex procedures like surgical extractions. It costs around $12 a week and you'll also usually have to serve a 12-month waiting period before you're covered. You might still have out of pocket expenses but they'll be significantly smaller – most policies can pay at least $600 towards tooth extraction costs.
Compare tooth extraction insurance coverage
Below are some options from Finder partners that would cover some of the costs of a tooth extraction. All prices are based on a single individual with less than $93,000 income and living in Sydney.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
We ask hundreds of Australians what they're paying for health insurance every month. Here's what they told us in April 2024.
Basic: $116
Bronze: $143
Silver: $168
Gold: $209
Price based on 1,000+ responses for single hospital insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
A tooth extraction can cost from around $75 to $3,000 depending on the severity of the problem.
Wisdom tooth extraction costs around $400 for basic extractions that only require a local anaesthetic or as much as $3,000 for surgical extractions under general anaesthesia.
No. Medicare doesn't usually cover tooth extractions unless you are a Concession Card holder or eligible for Medicare benefits such as the Child Dental Benefit Schedule.
A tooth extraction takes around 1 to 2 weeks to heal, according to healthdirect.gov. You should get in touch with your dentist though if you suffer from ongoing severe pain, excessive bleeding or you have a fever.
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
We’ve got all the info on what endodontics services are, how Australian health insurance providers handle them and what policies will cover you.
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