Violet is a food-motivated Labrador who has never once turned down a meal. When she started tilting her head to chew and leaving kibble scattered across the floor, her owner, Amanda, knew something wasn’t right. A trip to her vet turned up a fractured tooth, the kind that needs to come out, and a referral to our team followed not long after.
The diagnosis didn’t rattle her. The estimate did. Like a lot of pet owners, she figured a necessary procedure like this would somehow just fit into the budget, right up until she saw the number in writing. Amanda wasn’t sure how she would be able to pay for the procedure, until she learned about CareCredit.
Why Pet Tooth Extractions Aren’t Optional
Conditions like a fractured tooth, a dental abscess, advanced periodontal disease, and tooth resorption doesn’t get better over time. A damaged tooth will only keep causing more pain and spreading infection deeper into the jaw. A tooth extraction is the only way to resolve both the pain and the infection for good.
Dental disease is actually very common in pets. By age three more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats already show early signs of dental disease. And some pets have the odds stacked against them more than others.
Small breeds like Yorkies and Chihuahuas often have crowded teeth, which makes it easier for plaque and tartar to build up. Dogs with flat faces, like Pugs and Boxers, also tend to need tooth extractions because they have such crowded mouths. And aggressive chewing on items that are too hard, like antlers or real bones can easily fracture teeth, leading to exposed pulp, abscesses, and painful bacterial infections.
Why Are Pet Tooth Extractions So Expensive?
Tooth extractions aren’t cheap, and there’s a good reason for that. A tooth extraction is a surgical procedure, not just “pulling a tooth.” Here’s what usually happens during a dental extraction.
Step 1: Diagnostic Imaging
We start every dental visit with diagnostic imaging. Digital dental x-rays reveal problems like infected tooth roots, tooth fractures, and bone loss, which aren’t visible to the naked eye. When we need a closer look, we use our in-house CBCT (cone beam CT) scanner to get even more detailed images of your pet’s mouth.
Step 2: Anesthesia
All tooth extractions happen while a pet is under general anesthesia. This means pre-anesthetic bloodwork, constant monitoring, and pain management both before and after the procedure.
Step 3: Surgery
Because a tooth extraction is a type of oral surgery, it can get expensive. A board-certified dentist might cost a little more, but there is far less risk of complications from anesthesia or the surgery itself.
How to Use CareCredit for Pet Dental Care
Financing should never stand in the way of a pet getting the care they need. That’s why we accept CareCredit for procedures like pet tooth extractions. Approval takes just a few minutes online, and you can even apply the same day you find out your pet needs treatment.
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that’s specifically for medical and dental expenses. Instead of paying the full cost of veterinary care up front, you apply for the card, get approved, and use the credit to cover the procedure. You’ll be able to pay it off over time in monthly installments.
Board-Certified Veterinary Dentist in Houston
While a regular veterinarian provides general dental care, veterinary dentists have specialized training and surgical expertise. Having a board-certified vet is essential, especially for cases involving tooth resorption, fractured teeth, oral cancer, or complex tooth extractions.
Our board-certified veterinary dentist, Dr. Todd McCoy, spent years in general practice before completing a formal dentistry and oral surgery residency and becoming a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (DAVDC) in 2019. He founded our practice in 2014, and oral surgery is one of his special interests.
If your veterinarian has recommended a tooth extraction or diagnostic imaging, contact Texas Veterinary Dental Center to schedule an exam. If your pet needs treatment, we’ll explain the cost in detail and go over your financing options.
Photo by Wade Austin Ellis on Unsplash with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 10/15/26.