In short
- One visit under local anaesthetic. You go home the same day.
- Most people are back to normal the next day. Soreness and swelling can last up to 2 weeks.
- Published Kathmandu prices for a simple extraction were NPR 1,000 to 5,000 in October 2026.
- If the tooth can be saved, a root canal is usually worth discussing first.
- Plan for the gap: an implant, bridge or denture, or leaving it.
Is a tooth extraction right for me?
An extraction is for a tooth that cannot be saved. Common reasons are a tooth broken or decayed too far to repair, or a wisdom tooth with disease such as decay, infection or a cyst (NHS).
Who it isn’t for: a tooth that can still be repaired. If the problem is infection inside the tooth, a root canal and a cap (crown) may keep it (NHS). Healthy wisdom teeth that cause no trouble are usually left alone. See wisdom tooth removal for why.
A dentist needs to examine you, often with an X-ray, to know whether the tooth can be saved. If you are not sure, ask for both options and their costs side by side.
What happens, step by step
This is the typical process. Our dentists confirm the plan after checking you.
- Check and X-ray. The dentist looks at the tooth and its roots, and asks about your health and medicines.
- Numbing. Local anaesthetic numbs the tooth and the gum around it. Sedation may be possible for difficult cases or very anxious patients, with written consent.
- Removing the tooth. The dentist widens the socket and loosens the tooth before lifting it out. You feel pressure, not sharp pain.
- Stopping the bleeding. You bite on gauze for a while. Sometimes dissolvable stitches are used.
- Aftercare advice. You get written advice and go home the same day.
The NHS says even a wisdom tooth usually takes a few minutes, and no more than 40 minutes.
A simple extraction is for a tooth that can be seen above the gum and lifted out in one piece. It is usually done in a single short visit under local anaesthetic.
A surgical extraction is for a tooth that is broken at the gum line, has curved roots, or is stuck under the gum (often a wisdom tooth). The dentist may make a small cut in the gum, or remove the tooth in pieces. Dissolvable stitches are often used (NHS). It costs more and recovery can take longer. See wisdom tooth removal.
What’s included, and what may cost extra
| Usually part of the extraction | May cost extra |
|---|---|
| Local anaesthetic | X-ray of the tooth (often charged separately) |
| Removing the tooth | Surgical removal of a stuck or broken tooth |
| Gauze and aftercare advice | Sedation, if offered and needed |
| Replacing the tooth later (implant, bridge or denture) |
How much a tooth extraction costs in Kathmandu
Published Kathmandu clinic prices for a simple extraction ranged from NPR 1,000 to 5,000 in October 2026, typically NPR 2,000 to 4,000. Surgical and wisdom tooth extractions ranged from NPR 5,000 to 18,000. A small tooth X-ray was usually NPR 400 to 500. The government teaching hospital list was NPR 250 to 450.
What changes the price:
- Front or back tooth. Some clinics charge more for back teeth.
- Simple or surgical. A broken or stuck tooth takes more time and skill.
- X-rays before the extraction.
- Sedation, if needed and offered.
| Treatment | Our price (NPR) | Typical visits |
|---|---|---|
| Tooth extraction | NPR 2,000 to 4,000 simple extraction | 1 |
See our full price list.
Risks, recovery and aftercare
Most people are back to normal the next day. Pain and swelling can last up to 2 weeks, and usually ease after the first day or two (NHS, reviewed June 2024).
Aftercare:
- If it bleeds, press a clean, rolled-up gauze or cloth on the socket and bite firmly for at least 10 minutes.
- Eat soft food and chew on the other side for a few days.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol while it heals.
- Do not drive for 24 hours after sedation.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for soreness, following the packet.
Possible problems: dry socket (the blood clot is lost and the socket becomes very painful), infection, and, rarely, nerve damage that causes a numb or tingling lip, chin or tongue. Nerve numbness usually gets better, but it can last weeks or months (NHS). In one study from Nepal, dry socket happened in 4.7% of cases.
Get urgent care if
- Bleeding does not stop after pressing for 10 minutes. Call us. If heavy bleeding will not stop, go to a hospital emergency department.
- Pain gets worse instead of better, or you get a fever. Call us.
- Swelling spreads to your eye or neck, or you find it hard to breathe or swallow. Go to a hospital emergency department.
More first-aid steps are on our emergency dentist page.
Alternatives
| Option | How it works | Time | Upkeep | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root canal and crown | Saves the tooth by cleaning and sealing the inside | 1 to 3 visits, then a crown | Normal brushing, check-ups | A tooth that can still be repaired |
| Extraction, gap left | The tooth is removed and nothing replaces it | 1 visit | Normal brushing | Back teeth where a gap does not bother you |
| Extraction and implant | A titanium post in the bone holds a crown; about 96% survive 10 years (Howe et al., 2019) | 3 to 6 months | Brushing, cleaning, check-ups | Healthy gums and enough bone |
| Extraction and bridge | A false tooth fixed to the teeth either side; about 89% survive 10 years (Pjetursson and Lang, 2008) | About 2 visits | Clean under it daily | Neighbouring teeth that already need caps |
| Extraction and denture | Removable false teeth, made over a few weeks (NHS) | A few weeks | Take out and clean daily | Several missing teeth or a lower budget |
Compare replacements on dental implants, dentures and tooth replacement options.
The dentists who do this treatment
Clean and safe
An extraction leaves an open wound, so clean, sterilised instruments matter. Read how we clean and sterilise. If you feel nervous, our nervous patients page explains how we can go slowly and stop when you need.
Sources
- Wisdom tooth removal (procedure, recovery, risks), NHS (2024-06-12)
- Root canal treatment, NHS (2025-10-03)
- How to find an emergency dentist, NHS (2025-05-14)
- Comparison of zinc oxide eugenol and Alveogyl in dry socket (Chaurasia et al.), PubMed (2017)
- Long-term survival of dental implants (Howe et al.), Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (2019)
- A systematic review of the survival of tooth-supported and implant-supported FDPs (Pjetursson and Lang), Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (2008)
- Dentures, NHS (2025-03-19)
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A dentist needs to examine you to know what is right for your teeth.
