A cat tooth extraction costs $200-$1,000 per tooth, performed under general anesthesia. The total bill depends on how many teeth need to come out, the complexity of each extraction, and whether dental X-rays and cleaning are included. Cats with severe dental disease or stomatitis may need multiple or full-mouth extractions, pushing costs significantly higher.
Teeth are extracted when they're damaged beyond repair — from severe decay, resorptive lesions, fractures, advanced periodontal disease, or stomatitis. Feline tooth resorption (where the body breaks down the tooth structure) affects about half of all adult cats and is the most common reason for extraction. Leaving painful, infected teeth in place causes suffering and can spread bacteria. Tooth resorption affects 50%+ of adult cats
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork confirms your cat is safe for anesthesia. Full dental X-rays reveal problems below the gumline — many diseased teeth look normal on the surface. The vet elevates and removes each tooth, sometimes sectioning multi-rooted teeth into pieces first. The socket is cleaned and may be sutured closed. A dental cleaning is usually performed at the same time. Dental X-rays are essential for proper treatment
Pre-anesthetic bloodwork ($80-$150). Anesthesia ($150-$300). Dental X-rays ($100-$200). Simple extraction ($100-$300/tooth). Surgical extraction of multi-rooted teeth ($200-$500/tooth). Full-mouth extraction ($2,000-$5,000+). Dental cleaning (usually included). Pain medication and antibiotics ($50-$100). Per tooth: $200-$1,000 depending on complexity
Soft food only for 7-14 days while the extraction sites heal. Pain medication for 5-7 days. Antibiotics if infection was present. No hard treats or toys. Most cats eat soft food comfortably within 24-48 hours. Even cats with full-mouth extractions learn to eat kibble eventually — the tongue pushes food to the back of the mouth. Full healing in 1-2 weeks
A single extraction with dental cleaning runs $500-$1,200 total. Multiple extractions or full-mouth cases can reach $2,000-$5,000+.
Extractions are routine when performed by an experienced vet. Complications like jaw fracture are rare. Leaving bad teeth in is riskier than extracting them.
Depends on the number and difficulty of extractions. Total clinic time is 6-8 hours including anesthesia recovery.
Broken teeth, severe resorptive lesions, advanced periodontal disease, stomatitis, or any tooth causing chronic pain.
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A single extraction with dental cleaning runs $500-$1,200 total.
When extractions are medically necessary due to dental disease, most accident/illness policies cover them. This includes extractions for resorptive lesions, periodontal disease, fractures, and stomatitis. The extraction itself, anesthesia, X-rays, and medications are typically covered.
Many insurers impose a separate dental waiting period of 30-90 days, longer than the standard illness waiting period. Some policies exclude dental illness entirely. If dental disease existed before enrollment, all dental treatment is excluded as pre-existing.
Multiple extractions easily cost $1,000-$5,000+. Full-mouth extractions for stomatitis are among the most expensive dental procedures. Insurance makes a significant difference here. A single claim for extensive dental work can exceed several years of premium payments.
Some policies exclude all dental procedures. Others cover extractions but not cleanings. Cosmetic dental work is never covered. Pre-existing dental conditions are excluded. Read the dental section of your policy carefully — coverage varies more for dental than almost any other category.
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