A written treatment plan, reading glasses and pen on a desk

Quick answer

In Sydney, a simple extraction (tooth fully through, straightforward roots) commonly costs $200 to $400; a surgical extraction (broken-down, curved-rooted or partly erupted teeth needing sectioning or stitches) commonly $350 to $700. Wisdom teeth have their own guide and ranges. A fair quote follows an examination and X-ray and includes the anaesthetic, the extraction and normal aftercare review. Eligible children are bulk-billed under the CDBS. Budget honestly for the second decision too: what fills the gap, because neighbours drift and bone shrinks under an unfilled space.

Simple vs surgical: what moves the price

  • Simple ($200 to $400): the tooth is fully erupted with cooperative roots; anaesthetic, gentle leverage, done. Most extractions of loose, gum-disease-affected or straightforwardly decayed teeth land here
  • Surgical ($350 to $700): the tooth is broken at the gumline (nothing to grip), has curved or bulbous roots, or is partly erupted; it needs sectioning into pieces or a small gum flap and stitches. More time, more skill, honestly more fee
  • The X-ray is the quote: roots do surprising things invisibly, so any sight-unseen extraction price is a guess wearing a suit. Ours are written after the X-ray, before anything else happens

What a fair quote includes

The anaesthetic, the extraction itself, standard aftercare materials and instructions (our aftercare guide comes with you), and the normal review. Ask any practice what a difficult-turn (a simple extraction that becomes surgical mid-visit) does to the fee; the answer should exist before the appointment, and ours does.

The second decision: the gap

Except at the very back, a gap is not a neutral outcome: neighbours tilt in, the opposing tooth over-erupts, and bone slowly shrinks, complicating future options. Replacement (implant, bridge or denture; compared honestly here) or a deliberate, informed decision to leave the space should be part of the extraction conversation, not a surprise afterwards. Extracting a saveable tooth to dodge a root canal fee is usually false economy; that comparison deserves two minutes before anyone picks up forceps.

Children: extractions for eligible kids (0 to 17) are bulk-billed under the CDBS, including the baby-tooth extractions that sometimes accompany decay or orthodontic plans. Space maintenance after early baby-tooth loss is the follow-up question worth asking; we'll raise it if you don't.