How Much Does Tooth Extraction (Simple) Cost?
A simple tooth extraction is the removal of a visible tooth that is damaged, decayed, or otherwise problematic. The procedure involves loosening the tooth with an elevator instrument and removing it with forceps.
Without Insurance
$250
With Insurance
$50
Medicare
$0
National Average
$200
By Elena Bellini, MPH, Health Policy & Management · Last reviewed 2026-04-21 ·
Sources: American Dental Association Survey of Dental Fees 2025 · Methodology · Editorial standards Overview
A simple tooth extraction removes a fully erupted tooth that is damaged beyond repair, severely decayed, or otherwise problematic. Simple extractions are typically performed by a general dentist under local anesthesia and take 15 to 30 minutes using an elevator to loosen the tooth followed by forceps to remove it. Surgical extractions — which involve cutting gum tissue, removing bone, or sectioning the tooth — are billed with different, higher-fee codes and are more common for wisdom teeth, broken-off roots, or impacted teeth. Aftercare includes biting on gauze, a soft diet, and basic wound care for several days. Planning for what follows the extraction is the bigger cost conversation: a future implant, bridge, or partial denture is usually many times the price of the extraction itself. Bone grafting at the time of extraction is often recommended before an implant and is billed separately.
What affects the cost
- Type: simple extraction of an erupted tooth is the cheapest; surgical extraction (cutting tissue, sectioning the tooth) costs more.
- Provider: general dentist fees are typically lower than oral-surgeon fees for the same extraction code.
- Anesthesia: local anesthesia is standard; nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation each add separate charges.
- Bone graft at extraction: socket preservation grafting for a future implant adds a significant separate fee.
- Complex cases: broken-off roots, ankylosed teeth, or teeth near major nerves may require referral to an oral surgeon with higher fees.
- Insurance coverage: some dental plans categorize extractions as basic services, others as major services, with different coverage percentages.
How to Save
- Ask a general dentist whether they can perform the extraction rather than automatic referral to an oral surgeon.
- Skip optional sedation if local anesthesia is sufficient for your situation.
- Consider a dental school clinic for low-cost extractions performed by supervised students.
- Community health centers and federally qualified health centers offer sliding-fee extractions for uninsured patients.
- Use your HSA or FSA to pay the patient portion with pre-tax dollars.
- Ask whether a socket graft is necessary now — if no implant is planned, you can sometimes skip this extra fee.
Insurance and coverage notes
Dental PPO plans typically cover simple extractions as a basic service at 70-80% after deductible, subject to the annual benefit maximum. Surgical extractions may be classified as major services at a lower coverage percentage. HMO dental plans cover extractions at a fixed copay schedule. Original Medicare does not cover routine dental extractions; Medicare Part A can cover extractions when medically necessary as part of a covered inpatient procedure (for example, before certain organ transplants). Medicare Advantage plans increasingly include dental benefits covering extractions. Medicaid pediatric dental covers extractions. HSA and FSA can be used.
Data sources for this page
Cost figures on this page are compiled from the following sources, triangulated per the rules in our methodology:
- American Dental Association Survey of Dental Fees 2025 — primary CMS reference used as the Medicare-rate anchor.
- Hospital Price Transparency machine-readable files (HPT MRFs) from a sample of major hospitals in each state, per the federal Hospital Price Transparency rule.
- Transparency in Coverage payer in-network rate files for commercial-rate cross-validation.
- State All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) summaries where published (Colorado, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Maine, Utah, Vermont, Rhode Island, Washington, Oregon).
Last reviewed 2026-04-21. See editorial standards for our fact-checking process and correction policy.
Range: $180 to $345 · 50 states shown
Cost by State
| State | Without Insurance | With Insurance | Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $180 | $36 | $0 |
| Arkansas | $188 | $38 | $0 |
| West Virginia | $188 | $38 | $0 |
| Alabama | $195 | $39 | $0 |
| Oklahoma | $195 | $39 | $0 |
| Kentucky | $213 | $43 | $0 |
| Louisiana | $215 | $43 | $0 |
| Iowa | $220 | $44 | $0 |
| New Mexico | $220 | $44 | $0 |
| South Carolina | $220 | $44 | $0 |
| South Dakota | $220 | $44 | $0 |
| Kansas | $223 | $45 | $0 |
| North Dakota | $223 | $45 | $0 |
| Idaho | $225 | $45 | $0 |
| Nebraska | $225 | $45 | $0 |
| Tennessee | $225 | $45 | $0 |
| Indiana | $233 | $47 | $0 |
| Missouri | $233 | $47 | $0 |
| Utah | $233 | $47 | $0 |
| Wyoming | $233 | $47 | $0 |
| Georgia | $235 | $47 | $0 |
| North Carolina | $235 | $47 | $0 |
| Michigan | $238 | $48 | $0 |
| Montana | $238 | $48 | $0 |
| Arizona | $245 | $49 | $0 |
| Ohio | $245 | $49 | $0 |
| Wisconsin | $245 | $49 | $0 |
| Maine | $248 | $50 | $0 |
| Texas | $248 | $50 | $0 |
| Florida | $253 | $51 | $0 |
| Minnesota | $253 | $51 | $0 |
| Illinois | $258 | $52 | $0 |
| Pennsylvania | $258 | $52 | $0 |
| Delaware | $260 | $52 | $0 |
| Nevada | $260 | $52 | $0 |
| Vermont | $260 | $52 | $0 |
| Virginia | $260 | $52 | $0 |
| Colorado | $265 | $53 | $0 |
| New Hampshire | $265 | $53 | $0 |
| Oregon | $265 | $53 | $0 |
| Maryland | $275 | $55 | $0 |
| Rhode Island | $278 | $56 | $0 |
| Washington | $278 | $56 | $0 |
| Connecticut | $300 | $60 | $0 |
| New Jersey | $300 | $60 | $0 |
| California | $330 | $66 | $0 |
| Massachusetts | $333 | $67 | $0 |
| Alaska | $338 | $68 | $0 |
| New York | $338 | $68 | $0 |
| Hawaii | $345 | $69 | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does tooth extraction (simple) cost without insurance?
The average cost of tooth extraction (simple) without insurance in the United States is $250. Costs vary significantly by state.
Does insurance cover tooth extraction (simple)?
Most health insurance plans cover tooth extraction (simple) when medically necessary. With insurance, the average out-of-pocket cost is $50.
Does Medicare cover tooth extraction (simple)?
Medicare Part B typically covers tooth extraction (simple) when ordered by a doctor. The average Medicare-approved amount is $0.
Reviewed by Elena Bellini · Last reviewed: 2026-04-21
Data sourced from American Dental Association Survey of Dental Fees 2025. Last updated: 2026-03-01. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.