It can be difficult to find a pet insurance policy that will give you a good deal on dental care for your dog or cat. But there is one bit of good news: tooth extraction is one of those benefits which is almost universally covered by most pet insurance plans. And it’s a good thing, too, given how often this procedure gets performed.
It’s very common for your curious canine or clumsy kitty to suffer acute mouth trauma as the result of an accident. If this accident results in an injury which damages one or more teeth, your veterinarian will likely recommend extraction before complications (like infection) set in.
Furthermore, periodontal disease is an inevitability for pets who live to be a ripe old age. And tooth extraction, coupled with a switch to softer foods, is often the most cost-effective way to keep your pet’s quality-of-life high without breaking your budget due to expensive veterinary care. Below, we’ll talk about the types of pet insurance which cover tooth extraction so that you know what to look for from a pet insurance provider.
Pet Insurance and Tooth Extraction
Most of the time, the tooth extraction itself isn’t necessarily that costly or complicated. For dogs, a simple extraction could be as cheap as $10 per tooth. But that price goes up the more complicated the extraction gets. Elevated extractions for teeth below the gum line can be as expensive as $35 per tooth. but if the root has multiple splits or needs to be drilled out of the bone, you’re looking at $100 per tooth.
And that’s just the cost of the procedure itself. Most veterinarians aren’t barbaric enough to go in blind with a pair of pliers, yank it out, and call it a day. For legal and ethical reasons, there are other tests, diagnostics, and procedures that must accompany a tooth extraction in order to keep things as safe and comfortable for your pet is possible. These can include:
- An oral exam
- Bloodwork
- X-rays
- MRI
- Hospital supplies
- General anesthesia
- Prescription medications
- Hospitalization for your pet
- And more
Each bullet point in the list above comes with its own associated costs. At the end of the day, you could be looking at a veterinary bill as cheap as $300 or as expensive as $1,400. It’s hard to pinpoint an exact price which animal lovers should anticipate and budget for because there are so many different variables involved when it comes to tooth extractions.
Pet Accident Insurance and Tooth Extraction
If your pet cracks a tooth or suffers blunt force trauma to the periodontal area, the accident insurance coverage of your pet policy will help you with the costs. Keep in mind that since this falls under your plan’s comprehensive coverage, you will likely have to deal with meeting your annual deductible and coinsurance or copayments first. And you may only receive partial reimbursement for the total cost.
Any fractured tooth or other, sudden mouth injury which necessitates a tooth extraction can be covered by accident insurance. But if your need for a tooth extraction comes from dental disease or a pre-existing condition, your pet accident insurance will not cover it. Pre-existing conditions are never covered by pet health insurance. But if your cat or dog needs to get a tooth pulled due to disease, that is covered under the pet illness part of your pet’s health plan.
Pet Illness Insurance and Tooth Extraction
Unfortunately, there are lots of different diseases which can cause your little Fido or Fluffy to need a tooth pulled. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones that a pet insurance plan is most likely to cover.
Gingivitis. Gingivitis is unique to the gum line. If you see redness and swelling in your pet’s mouth where the gum meets the tooth, it’s likely gingivitis – especially if that tissue bleeds when you brush it. In the early stages, it can cause mild discomfort. But it can cause full-blown periodontal disease if left unattended for too long.
Stomatitis. Stomatitis is any swelling and redness in your pet’s mouth which affects more than just the gums. It can affect the lips, tongue, palate, and any other soft tissues in the animal’s mouth. Again, the main cause for concern is a loss of appetite due to pain. Your pet may also stop grooming themselves due to the physical discomfort of stomatitis.
Tooth abscess. A tooth abscess is an enclosed pocket of infected tissue which usually contains pus and harmful bacteria. A tooth abscess can form as a result of periodontal disease or physical injury. Pets can also develop an abscess due to a tumor or a dentigerous cyst. You can usually tell a tooth abscess is present in animals who suffer from bad breath, drooling, lack of appetite, aversion to dry food, if they repeatedly paw at or rub a certain spot on their face, or if they have swollen lymph nodes near the affected area. The sooner you can get treatment for your pet, the better. Without treatment, the infection will spread throughout the body and could lead to chronic illness or death. Since most teeth are irreparably damaged by a tooth abscess, the only effective method of treatment is tooth extraction.
Oral growths and tumors. Oral growths and tumors can cause your pet a great deal of pain, leading them to eat less and possibly become malnourished. Cancerous tumors need to be removed right away in order to give your pet the longest life possible. Either way, it’s dangerous to let these conditions go on unaddressed.
Finding the Right Pet Insurance For Your Tooth Extraction Needs
If you’re searching for pet insurance because you think your pet might need a tooth extraction, we have some bad news: it’s already too late. Like we said earlier, pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. It’s better to purchase pet insurance for your animal companion as soon as possible in order to be prepared and financially protected in the event that they do need a tooth extracted. We can help you compare pet policies and costs so that you can have the perfect plan ready if and when the time arrives.