A tooth extraction at Gorgeous Smiles in Melbourne CBD costs between $350 and $700, covering both simple and surgical in-chair extractions. The tooth extraction cost depends on whether the tooth can be lifted out with standard instruments or requires a surgical approach involving incisions and sectioning. A loose, visible tooth is a different procedure to a broken molar sitting below the gum line.
If you've been told you need a tooth removal, or you're in pain and suspect a tooth needs to come out, the first step is a comprehensive examination where your dentist confirms the type of extraction needed and provides an exact cost before any work begins. Book an appointment or call (03) 9042 0483.
Here's what tooth extraction costs at our Melbourne CBD dental practice.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Simple tooth extraction | $350 to $450 |
| Surgical tooth extraction (in-chair) | $450 to $700 |
| Comprehensive examination (assessment) | $95 |
| Wisdom tooth extraction | See dedicated section below |
All in-chair extractions at Gorgeous Smiles include local anaesthetic. You won't be charged separately for numbing. Post-operative instructions and a follow-up appointment are included in the extraction fee. If your case requires more complex surgical extraction under general anaesthesia in a hospital setting, Gorgeous Smiles will refer you to an oral surgeon whose fees are separate and higher than in-chair pricing.
The tooth is fully visible above the gum line, intact or mostly intact, and can be loosened and removed with standard dental instruments. Your dentist applies a topical anaesthetic gel to numb the gum surface, then injects local anaesthetic to block pain completely. The tooth is loosened in its socket and removed. The whole process often takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Simple extractions sit at $350 to $450. Common situations include a tooth too badly weakened by decay to support a filling or crown, a tooth loosened by advanced gum disease, or an orthodontic treatment extraction to create space for alignment.
The affected tooth is broken below the gum line, hasn't fully erupted, is impacted, or has curved or fragile roots that make straightforward extraction risky. The dentist makes a small incision in the soft tissue to access the tooth and may need to section it into pieces for removal or remove a small amount of surrounding bone. Stitches are placed afterward.
Surgical extractions sit at $450 to $700 at Gorgeous Smiles. Common situations include impacted wisdom teeth, teeth broken off at the gum line, teeth with a vertical fracture, and failed root canal teeth with complex root anatomy. Very complicated cases that require surgical intervention beyond in-chair capability may be referred to a specialist oral surgeon.
Your dentist determines this from the examination and X-rays at your assessment appointment. If the tooth is visible and mostly whole, a simple extraction is likely. If the tooth is broken, partially erupted, or your dentist has mentioned "surgical," expect the higher end of the range.
Wisdom tooth removal costs vary more than other dental extraction because of how frequently wisdom teeth are impacted or only partially erupted.
At Gorgeous Smiles, wisdom tooth extraction is priced within the standard extraction range. Straightforward wisdom tooth removal where the tooth has fully erupted sits at the lower end. Impacted wisdom teeth requiring surgical removal sit at $450 to $700 or more per tooth for in-chair cases. Hospital-based removal under general anaesthesia with an oral surgeon carries separate fees.
The main cost variables are the degree of impaction (soft tissue impaction is simpler than partial or full bony impaction), the number of wisdom teeth being removed, and whether sedation beyond local anaesthesia is needed.
If all four wisdom teeth need removing, discuss with your dentist whether doing them at once or in stages makes more sense. Removing all four in a single appointment means one recovery period. Staging across two appointments means less discomfort per visit but more total appointments.
Included in your extraction fee at Gorgeous Smiles:
Local anaesthetic
The extraction procedure itself
Gauze and post-extraction wound management
Stitches if required for surgical extraction,
Written post-operative instructions
A follow-up appointment.
The comprehensive examination covers your assessment, X-rays, diagnosis, and treatment plan and is usually your first appointment before the extraction itself. Sedation beyond local anaesthetic (nitrous oxide or IV sedation) is available at additional cost. Any prescribed antibiotics or pain relief are filled at a pharmacy at standard costs. Tooth replacement, if the extracted tooth needs replacing with a dental implant, bridge, or denture, is a separate treatment and cost entirely.
Standard for all extractions. A topical anaesthetic gel numbs the gum surface before the injection. You'll be fully awake but the area around the affected tooth will be completely numb. You shouldn't feel pain during the procedure, only pressure.
For patients with mild anxiety, a prescription such as diazepam can be taken before the appointment to help you feel calm and relaxed. Your dentist will discuss whether this is appropriate during your consultation.
Inhaled through a small nose mask throughout the procedure. Produces a relaxed, calm feeling while you stay conscious and responsive. Effects wear off within minutes of removing the mask and most patients can be considered to drive home. Suited for patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety. Adds approximately $100 to $250 to the extraction cost.
Administered through a drip. Produces deep relaxation and most patients have little to no memory of the procedure afterwards. You'll need someone to drive you home. Suited for patients with significant anxiety or longer, more complex surgical extractions. Adds approximately $400 to $800 or more depending on duration.
Required for very complex extractions or patients who cannot be treated in a dental chair. Gorgeous Smiles refers to oral surgeons for hospital-based cases. Hospital and anaesthetist fees are separate and can add $1,500 or more to the total costs involved.
Tooth extraction is almost always a last resort. If the natural tooth can be saved with a root canal treatment, crown, or other dental treatment, preserving it is usually the better long-term decision for both oral health and finances.
The tooth is too badly decayed or broken to support any restoration. Gum disease has destroyed the bone holding the tooth in place. A vertical fracture makes the tooth unsalvageable. A previous root canal has failed and retreatment isn't viable. The tooth is impacted and causing problems for the surrounding teeth. Or orthodontic treatment requires the space.
The tooth has deep decay or infection but sufficient structure remains. A root canal ($1,500 to $3,000 at Gorgeous Smiles) plus a dental crown can save it. The tooth is cracked but the crack hasn't reached below the root. A crown can protect it and restore full function.
Extraction alone: $350 to $450. Cheapest option, but it leaves a gap and the costs involved in replacement are significant.
Extraction plus implant to replace the tooth: $350 to $450 plus $6,000 for the dental implant and crown. Total of $6,350 to $6,450.
Root canal plus crown to save the tooth: Approximately $3,500 to $5,500 total. Preserves your natural tooth. No gap. No implant surgery. No healing timeline.
If your dentist says the tooth can be saved, it's almost always cheaper and better for your long-term oral health to do so.
If you're having a non-wisdom tooth extracted, replacement is strongly recommended. Leaving a gap causes the neighbouring teeth to drift into the space, the opposing tooth to over-erupt, bite misalignment, and bone loss in the extraction area over time.
Gorgeous Smiles discusses tooth replacement options at the same appointment as the extraction, so you can plan the full treatment and budget from the start.
| Option | Cost | Timeline | Longevity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental implant + crown | From $6,000 | 3 to 9 months | 15 to 25+ years |
| Dental bridge | $6,500 to $7,500 | 2 to 3 weeks | 10 to 15 years |
| Removable partial denture | $500 to $2,000 | 2 to 4 weeks | 5 to 10 years |
| No replacement (wisdom teeth, orthodontic) | $0 | N/A | N/A |
When you don't need replacement: wisdom teeth (no functional gap), teeth removed for orthodontic treatment where the space closes with braces or Invisalign, and in some cases second molars where the remaining teeth maintain adequate chewing function.
Simple tooth extraction is classified as "General Dental" under most private health insurance extras policies. Surgical extraction may fall under "General Dental" or "Major Dental" depending on your health fund and the complexity of the procedure.
For general dental coverage, most health funds reimburse 50 to 80 percent of the extraction cost, which could bring a $350 to $450 extraction down to $100 to $200 out of pocket. More complex surgical extractions requiring hospital admission or general anaesthesia may fall under Major Dental with longer waiting periods (12 months) and lower rebate percentages.
Annual benefit limits apply regardless of category. If you've already used your dental benefits this year on other dental procedures, the remaining allocation may be limited. Gorgeous Smiles does not accept Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) claims.
A simple extraction at $350 to $450 is manageable for most patients as a single payment. Payment plans become more practical when extraction is followed by tooth replacement. An extraction plus implant totalling over $6,000 is a meaningful expense. Gorgeous Smiles offers interest free payment plans through AfterPay, Humm, and Zip, so you can spread the combined dental treatment cost over weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payments.
Treatment can also be staged naturally. The extraction happens first, then the extraction site heals, then the implant is placed, then the crown. Each stage can fall in a different payment period or financial year, allowing you to draw on two separate insurance benefit periods.
If you're in pain, don't wait. Gorgeous Smiles offers emergency appointments for dental emergencies. Call (03) 9042 0483 and let the team know you need urgent care. If it's not urgent but you know an extraction is coming, a comprehensive examination confirms whether tooth removal is necessary, what type is needed, the exact cost, and a plan for replacement if relevant. No work is done without your informed consent and agreement on cost.
Gorgeous Smiles Melbourne CBD | 121 Exhibition St | Book online or call (03) 9042 0483
The extraction itself is performed under local anaesthetic. You shouldn't feel pain, only pressure. A topical anaesthetic gel is applied before the injection to minimise even that initial sting. Mild soreness and swelling afterward are normal for a few days and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Nitrous oxide or IV sedation are available at additional cost for patients with dental anxiety.
Most patients recover within 2 to 7 days for a simple extraction and up to two weeks for a surgical extraction. Eat soft foods and avoid vigorous rinsing for 24 to 48 hours to protect the protective blood clot forming at the extraction site. Your dentist will provide specific post-operative instructions.
Dry socket occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site is dislodged or fails to form, exposing the underlying bone and causing severe pain. It's more common in smokers and after surgical extractions. Reduce the risk by avoiding smoking, straws, and vigorous rinsing for 48 hours after tooth removal. If you develop severe pain 2 to 3 days after the procedure, contact your dentist immediately. Dry socket is treatable.
Not always. Wisdom teeth and orthodontic extractions don't need replacement. But if you lose a front tooth, premolar, or molar, replacement is strongly recommended to prevent the neighbouring teeth from shifting, bite misalignment, and bone loss. Your dentist will discuss replacement options at your extraction appointment.
Yes. Multiple extractions can often be completed in a single appointment, which means one recovery period and potentially lower overall dental fees. Your dentist will advise whether it's appropriate based on complexity and your medical history.
No. Gorgeous Smiles does not accept Child Dental Benefits Schedule claims. If your child is eligible for CDBS, you will need to seek treatment at a dental clinic that accepts the scheme.
The extraction alone is cheaper. But if you then need to replace the missing tooth with a dental implant, the total out of pocket cost of extraction plus replacement is significantly higher than saving the natural tooth with root canal treatment plus a crown. If the tooth can be saved, it's almost always the more affordable path over the long term.
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Disclaimer: every treatment has risks. The treatment posted on this page might not be appropriate for your oral environment. You need a full consultation with an Australian qualified dental professional before we can confirm if you are a good candidate for any treatments. Results vary from person to person. This page’s posts does not replace real life dental professional’s examination & opinion. We are a very experienced team of general dentists with special interests in different fields if dentistry. Learn more about the risks here.
