A dog tooth extraction in the UK typically costs £30 to £80 per tooth for a simple, single-rooted tooth and £150 to £400 or more for a surgical extraction of a canine or carnassial, on top of a dental procedure under general anaesthetic that costs £300 to £600 including a scale and polish. Put together, a dental with a handful of extractions usually lands between £500 and £1,200, while full-mouth extractions for severe periodontal disease run £1,000 to £2,500 or more. Here is how the bill breaks down, why it varies so much, and how to keep it down.

Why Dogs Need Teeth Out

Most dogs over the age of three have some degree of dental disease. Plaque and tartar cause gum inflammation (gingivitis), which progresses to periodontal disease, where bone and tissue around the tooth are lost and the tooth becomes loose, infected or abscessed. Fractured teeth (often from chewing bones, stones or antlers), retained baby teeth and overcrowding in small and flat-faced breeds are the other common reasons. A tooth that has lost its attachment or has an exposed root cannot be saved by cleaning; removing it is what relieves the pain.

Average Dog Tooth Extraction Costs

ScenarioTypical UK price (2026)
Dental check in the consulting room (awake)£40 to £70
Dental under GA with scale and polish, no extractions£300 to £600
Dental X-rays (full-mouth series)£100 to £200 on top
Simple extraction, single-rooted tooth (incisor, small premolar, loose tooth)£30 to £80 per tooth on top
Surgical extraction, multi-rooted or large tooth (canine, carnassial, molar)£150 to £400+ per tooth on top
Dental with two to five extractions (total)£500 to £900
Dental with six to ten extractions (total)£800 to £1,500
Full-mouth extractions, severe periodontal disease (total)£1,000 to £2,500+

These are typical ranges compiled from published UK practice price lists and VetCost practice data, not a quote. The per-tooth figures assume the dog is already under anaesthetic for a dental; you rarely pay for an extraction on its own. Prices at London and referral-level dental practices sit at or above the top of each range.

What Should Be Included

A dental estimate should normally cover:

  • Pre-anaesthetic check, and blood tests if recommended for an older dog (£80 to £150 if charged separately)
  • General anaesthetic with monitoring by a nurse, and intravenous fluids
  • Full examination and charting of every tooth under anaesthetic
  • Dental X-rays, where the practice has the equipment
  • Scaling and polishing
  • Extractions, including local nerve blocks and closing the gum with dissolvable stitches for surgical extractions
  • Injectable pain relief during the procedure and take-home pain relief, usually three to five days, plus antibiotics where needed
  • A post-operative check, typically three to ten days later

Many dentals are quoted as a base price plus "extractions as required", because the vet cannot tell which teeth can be saved until the dog is asleep and the mouth has been probed and X-rayed. Ask for a worst-case figure and a phone call from theatre before any extra work is done.

What Affects the Price

Simple vs Surgical

A loose incisor comes out in seconds. A canine has a root longer than the crown, and a carnassial (the large upper fourth premolar) has three roots; these need the gum flapped back, the tooth sectioned with a drill, each root elevated out and the socket closed. That is 20 to 40 minutes of surgical time per tooth, which is why it costs five times as much.

Anaesthetic Time

The anaesthetic and monitoring are the single biggest cost in a dental, typically £150 to £250 of a £300 to £600 procedure. Every extra tooth extends the anaesthetic, and some practices charge dentals in time bands (for example 30, 60 or 90 minutes) rather than per tooth.

Dental X-rays

X-rays reveal root abscesses, resorption and bone loss that are invisible from the surface, and confirm nothing is left behind. Not every practice has dental X-ray equipment; those that do usually charge £100 to £200 for a full series. It is money well spent, because missed root fragments mean a second anaesthetic later.

Size and Breed

Large dogs need more anaesthetic and drugs. Small breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and Cavaliers, flat-faced breeds with crowded teeth, Greyhounds and Poodles tend to need more extractions, earlier.

Corporate vs Independent

The CMA's final report (March 2026) found average prices at the five largest corporate groups were 18.3% higher than at independent practices, and that vet prices across the sector rose 63% between 2016 and 2023. On a £900 dental that gap is worth well over £100. Practices must now say on signage and online whether they are part of a group.

Signs Your Dog May Need Extractions

  • Bad breath, or red, swollen or bleeding gums
  • Heavy brown tartar, loose or missing teeth, or a broken tooth with the pulp showing
  • Dropping food, chewing on one side, preferring soft food, or pawing at the mouth
  • A swelling under the eye or on the jaw (often a tooth-root abscess)
  • Drooling, head shyness or a dog that has simply gone quiet or grumpy

Many dogs show no obvious signs at all, which is why the annual check-up matters. Dental disease is painful, and untreated infection is linked with heart, kidney and liver disease.

How to Reduce the Bill

  • Act early: a scale and polish at £300 to £600 before teeth become loose is far cheaper than ten extractions at £1,500, and each dental delays the next.
  • Compare published prices: when the CMA reviewed practice websites in 2025, only 13% of those that showed any prices listed routine dentistry. That changes under the CMA Order: large groups must publish a standard price list, including dental assessment with scale and polish, by December 2026 and smaller practices by March 2027. Use it, and compare practices near you on VetCost. Our dog dental cleaning cost guide covers the base procedure in more detail.
  • Get a written estimate: for any treatment likely to cost £500 or more, practices will be legally required to give a written estimate (large groups from June 2027, smaller practices from September 2027) and an itemised bill. Until then, RCVS guidance already says estimates should be put in writing where possible. See your rights.
  • Ask about staging: if a dozen teeth need to come out, some vets will split the work over two procedures to spread the cost, although that means two anaesthetics.
  • Pet health plans: monthly plans sometimes include a discount on dentals or a free scale and polish. The CMA now requires plans to show the standalone price of each component so you can check whether yours is worth it.
  • Brush: daily brushing with a dog toothpaste, or at least three times a week, plus dental chews kept under 10% of daily food, slows tartar and extends the gap between dentals.
  • Charity help: if you receive a qualifying benefit and live in a PDSA catchment, PDSA Pet Hospitals provide free or low-cost dentistry; see our free vet care guide. For a large bill, our vet bill finance guide covers 0% and low-interest options.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Dog Tooth Extractions?

Often only partly. Many UK policies exclude dental illness altogether or cap it at a few hundred pounds, and most that do cover it require an annual dental check with any recommended treatment carried out promptly; skip a recommended dental and later extractions may be refused as pre-existing. Extractions for a fractured tooth after an accident are more widely covered than periodontal disease. Some lifetime policies, including several on our pet insurance comparison, cover dental disease up to the policy limit, less your excess (commonly £59 to £100) and any co-payment for older dogs. Read the dental clause before you buy, not when you claim.

FAQ

How much is a single tooth extraction for a dog?

On its own, rarely less than £350 to £700 all in, because the dog still needs a full anaesthetic and usually a scale and polish. The extraction itself adds £30 to £80 for a simple tooth or £150 to £400+ for a surgical one.

Can a dog's tooth be removed without anaesthetic?

No. Anaesthesia-free "dentals" only clean the visible crown and cannot extract teeth safely or painlessly. A proper extraction needs a general anaesthetic, nerve blocks and usually X-rays.

Will my dog cope with lots of teeth missing?

Yes. Dogs eat perfectly well with few or no teeth, and most owners report a brighter, happier dog once the painful teeth are gone. Soft food for a week or two is all that is normally needed.

How long is recovery?

Most dogs eat the same evening and are back to normal within days. Surgical sites take one to two weeks to heal; dissolvable stitches fall out on their own. Expect a post-operative check within ten days.

Why was my quote so much higher than the price on the website?

Published dental prices are for a standard case with no extractions or complications, and the CMA rules require the list to say prices may rise in complex cases. Ask for an itemised, worst-case estimate in writing before you book.

Last updated: August 2026. Prices are typical UK ranges compiled from published practice price lists and VetCost practice data; your practice's quote may differ.

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