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An extraction sounds like the cheapest option in dentistry until you see the bill. Simple extractions are genuinely inexpensive, but surgical extractions, sedation, and wisdom teeth change the math fast. Here is what each type costs in 2026, with and without insurance.
Simple vs surgical: two different procedures, two different prices
A simple extraction removes a fully erupted tooth with forceps under local anesthesia. National 2026 data puts simple extractions at $75 to $300 per tooth; Aspen Dental’s published 2026 average is $179, with a range of $104 to $279. A surgical extraction involves an incision, sometimes bone removal or sectioning the tooth, and usually an oral surgeon. Those run $225 to $600 or more per tooth in major markets.
Wisdom teeth are usually surgical. Expect $200 to $1,100 per tooth depending on impaction, or $1,500 to $3,000 for all four under IV sedation. Having all four removed in one visit generally costs less per tooth than separate visits because anesthesia and facility fees are shared. For the uninsured cash price on wisdom teeth specifically, see our wisdom tooth removal cost guide.
What insurance pays
Most dental plans cover extractions as basic care at 70 to 80 percent after the deductible, or as major care at 50 percent for surgical cases, depending on how the plan classifies the procedure. Plans typically cover 50 to 80 percent of the allowed amount for surgical extractions deemed medically necessary. The annual maximum, commonly $1,000 to $2,000, is the binding constraint: four wisdom teeth at 50 percent coverage can exhaust a $1,500 maximum in a single appointment.
Sedation is the coverage gap to watch. Local anesthesia is included in the extraction fee. IV sedation or general anesthesia is often billed separately and many dental plans limit or exclude it, though some medical plans cover it with documented medical necessity such as recurrent infection. Ask for the sedation line item in the predetermination, not just the extraction.
Waiting periods apply too. If your plan imposes a 6 to 12 month wait on major services and classifies surgical extraction as major, an extraction in month three may not be covered. Check dental insurance waiting periods before scheduling.
The cost after the extraction
The extraction is rarely the end of the spending. A missing tooth usually needs replacing, and that is where the real money goes: a single implant with its crown commonly costs several thousand dollars, and implant coverage is often limited or excluded, as our dental implant coverage guide explains. A bridge costs less up front but reshapes the neighboring teeth. This is why dentists push to save a tooth with a root canal and crown when possible; the upfront cost is higher, but the lifetime cost is often lower.
The bottom line
Budget $75 to $300 for a simple extraction or $225 to $600+ for a surgical one without insurance, and expect insurance to cover 50 to 80 percent of the allowed amount once waiting periods and deductibles are satisfied. Get the predetermination with sedation itemized, confirm how much annual maximum remains, and price the replacement tooth before you decide the extraction is the cheap option.
