While many canine dental problems can be solved with a proper clean of teeth and gums, sometimes a more drastic solution is required to ensure the dog's wellbeing. Sometimes, the best solution for your pet is to extract the problematic tooth or teeth.

Surgical removal of a dog's tooth is usually seen as a last resort after all other treatment methods have been found ineffective. So, when a vet advises a tooth has to be removed, they won’t have made the recommendation lightly. It’s because they know it’s the best thing for the patient.

If you're worried about the prospect of taking a dog’s tooth out, that’s understandable — but this is usually a relatively straightforward procedure. In this guide, we’ll look into why your dog might need to have a tooth removed, and discuss the likely cost of dog tooth extraction.

Tooth pain can be expensive to treat. If you suspect your dog has dental problems or is at risk, start searching for pet insurance today. Brought to you by Pet Insurer, Wag! Wellness lets pet parents compare insurance plans from leading companies like PetPlan and Trupanion. Find the perfect plan for your pet in seconds.

Extracting a dog’s tooth is a surgical process that needs a general anesthetic. Once delivered, the vet will then assess the root structure of the tooth using oral x-rays in order to plan the extraction.

The tooth is usually extracted by pulling back the dog’s gums and using a drill to dislodge the root from its mooring in the jawbone. An incision along the base of the gums may be required to assist in this.

Once freed from the jawbone, the tooth can be pulled out and any root fragments removed. The final step is to suture (stitch) the wound closed. Extracting a dog’s tooth isn’t usually a long procedure — it should take around an hour.

For dental problems affecting a particular tooth, removing it is usually a success. By extracting the entirety of the affected tooth, surgical removal of a dog's tooth will usually eliminate the problem altogether (although antibiotics will be required in the event of infection, post-surgery).

While other teeth may be at risk of developing similar problems (especially if the dog has poor dental health in general), the vet will almost certainly go over some preventative options with the owner.

Following surgery for a tooth extraction, the dog will require a regular dosage of painkillers due to the fact that several nerve endings will have been severed during the procedure.

Furthermore, pet parents should monitor their dog over the next few weeks to make sure that they’re recovering properly. Warning signs include wincing and continued bleeding (caused by the wound opening up again), as well as facial swelling (which may be indicative of an infection).

There will be a couple of follow-up visits required in order for the vet to check that the incision is healing properly. Sutures should dissolve with time and the vet will check to ensure this has happened. All told, the healing process should take approximately two weeks to complete, if there are no complications.

The cost of dog tooth extraction will always vary, as it depends on the overall health of the individual dog, their size and the potential complexity of the required tooth or teeth removal. A dog tooth extraction cost for a single tooth will obviously be lower than multiple teeth.

A pet parent should expect a dog tooth extraction cost of anywhere between $500 and $800, subject to fluctuations. Bear in mind that many pet insurance policies can cover the cost of most of that — minus any deductibles. If you don’t have a policy, a dog tooth extraction cost without insurance has to be met completely by you.

While a tooth extraction is a relatively quick and straightforward operation, there are a couple of aspects that may give some pet parents pause (or paws) for thought.

The first is the necessity of general anesthetic — something that can be a risk to older dogs (who are also the most likely to require the operation) or those with underlying health issues.

The second is the question of whether a tooth extraction is appropriate in their specific case. It may feel an extreme step to take — whipping a tooth out! Remember though, that a tooth extraction will only be advised by a vet when they feel it’s in your dog's best interest.

If your vet has told you your dog needs an extraction, the longer the tooth is left in their mouth, the higher the risk of significant infection and chronic pain.

A tooth extraction for a dog can’t always be prevented — especially if it’s required due to an accident, such as your pet fracturing the tooth by biting something that causes the damage.

However, maintaining a good standard of dental health in your dog will prevent the most common conditions that precipitate tooth extraction.

Ensuring that your dog eats good quality food and receives regular dental cleaning will prevent the buildup of harmful grime and bacteria in the mouth, saving them from the possible pain of tooth decay and infection.

Looking after your dog’s teeth properly can help to avoid dental problems in the future, reducing the risk of needing a tooth extraction or removal.