Tooth extraction in Vietnam for New Zealand patients

Tooth extraction is not a treatment most New Zealand patients travel to Vietnam for on its own. The saving on a single extraction — real, but modest — rarely justifies the cost of a return flight. The clinical picture is different when extraction is part of a larger plan: a failing tooth removed, the socket preserved with a bone graft, and an implant placed either in the same appointment or a few months later. That combination, priced across what would otherwise be a series of expensive NZ appointments, is where the economics of travelling to our clinic make clear sense.

This page covers our indicative extraction prices, the NZ benchmarks, the extraction-to-implant pathway that most of our New Zealand patients follow, and the practical questions around recovery and flying home.

Simple vs surgical extraction

Whether an extraction is classified as simple or surgical depends on the tooth’s anatomy and position, not purely on difficulty.

A simple extraction applies when the tooth is fully erupted above the gum line, the root structure is straightforward (single or fused roots, no significant curvature), and the tooth can be loosened and removed using forceps without cutting the gum or sectioning the tooth. Healthy, well-positioned premolars and anterior teeth are typical candidates.

A surgical extraction is required when:

• The tooth is partially or fully impacted under the gum (common with lower third molars / wisdom teeth)
• The root is curved, dilacerated, or unusually long in relation to the surrounding bone
• The tooth has fractured at or below the gum line and the remaining root must be retrieved separately
• The root is close to the inferior alveolar nerve or the maxillary sinus, requiring more controlled surgical access
• The tooth has ankylosed (fused) to the bone and will not loosen with standard technique

Surgical extractions take longer — typically 30–60 minutes — involve local anaesthetic infiltration and possibly a block, and require sutures. Simple extractions on uncomplicated teeth are usually complete in 5–20 minutes.

We determine which category applies after reviewing your OPG and, where anatomy warrants it, a CBCT scan. We do not confirm a price for extraction until we have seen the imaging.

Our indicative extraction prices — May 2026

The prices below are indicative. Final pricing is confirmed in writing after OPG review. All figures use 1 NZD = 15,000 VND.

These prices cover the extraction only — local anaesthetic, procedure, and sutures if required. Socket preservation grafting, sedation, and any post-extraction restorative work are separately itemised.

See full pricing for every treatment line.

NZ vs Vietnam — the economics

NZ benchmarks are anonymous indicative ranges for private general practice in 2026, not sourced from any named clinic.

The honest read on these numbers: a saving of NZD 50–250 on a simple extraction does not come close to covering a return flight. Travelling solely for a straightforward extraction is not financially rational. The saving on a surgical extraction is larger, but still modest relative to travel costs.

The economics shift entirely when extraction is combined with implant placement and bone grafting — where Picasso’s combined price is typically NZD 3,000–4,000 against a NZ equivalent of NZD 8,000–10,000+. In that context, the extraction cost becomes almost incidental.

The extraction-to-implant pathway

The most common reason New Zealand patients have a tooth extracted at our clinic is as the first step in a planned implant sequence.

A failing tooth — cracked, severely decayed, or periodontally compromised past restorability — is removed. At the same appointment, socket preservation grafting is placed into the extraction socket. The graft material supports the socket walls and maintains bone volume through the healing phase, making implant placement 3–6 months later more predictable.

Illustrative combined cost across two trips:

Indicative saving: approximately NZD 4,900 on this specific case combination. Trip 1 covers extraction and grafting; Trip 2, several months later, covers the implant fixture and restoration.

This is the pathway where travelling makes clear financial and clinical sense. Read more on dental implants and bone grafting.

Atraumatic extraction technique

Preserving bone at the time of extraction is not cosmetic — it is structural. The buccal (outer) plate of the socket is thin, typically 1–2 mm, and if it is damaged or lost during extraction, the site collapses. A collapsed site either cannot accept an implant without major augmentation or produces a poor aesthetic outcome if it can.

Our approach uses periotomes (thin-bladed elevators) to sever the periodontal ligament fibres around the root before any forceful movement is applied. This loosens the tooth within its socket rather than expanding the bone around it. We section multi-rooted teeth to remove each root individually rather than rocking the whole tooth, which tends to fracture thin socket walls.

Where the implant is planned and the site anatomy permits, an immediate implant can sometimes be placed into the fresh socket at the same appointment — subject to bone volume, socket dimensions, and the absence of active infection. We confirm whether this is an option in the written quote.

What to expect during the procedure

Simple extraction. Local anaesthetic is administered and allowed to take full effect — we do not proceed until the site is numb. The tooth is loosened with an elevator and removed with forceps. Gauze pressure controls bleeding. Total chair time is typically 20–30 minutes including anaesthetic time. Sutures are usually not required.

Surgical extraction. A small gingival flap may be raised to access the root, and in some cases a small amount of bone is removed to free the tooth. The tooth or roots are sectioned if needed. Sutures close the site. Chair time is typically 45–75 minutes. Local anaesthetic is standard; for anxious patients, conscious sedation can be arranged and is itemised separately.

You will feel pressure during the procedure but should not feel pain. If you do, tell us immediately and additional anaesthetic is administered. We do not describe extraction as painless — the procedure itself is controlled, but post-operative aching for 24–72 hours as the anaesthetic resolves is expected and managed with anti-inflammatories.

Recovery and flying home

Simple extraction. Rest for the remainder of the day. Avoid vigorous rinsing, spitting, or suction for 24 hours to protect the clot. Eat soft food and avoid temperature extremes. Most patients feel comfortable the following day. Allow at least 48 hours before flying home.

Surgical extraction. Expect swelling that peaks at 48–72 hours, then resolves. Sutures are removed or dissolve at 7–10 days. Allow at least 72 hours before flying. Cold compresses in the first 24 hours reduce swelling. Avoid anti-inflammatory medication if it interferes with clotting — confirm with us at discharge.

During the flight. Cabin pressure is maintained equivalent to 1,500–2,400 m altitude. This slight pressure change can increase discomfort at an unhealed extraction site. Keep your head elevated, avoid alcohol, and do not use a straw. If you experience significant pain in flight, over-the-counter analgesia appropriate for dental post-operative care is appropriate; contact us on arrival in New Zealand.

If your extraction site is also receiving a socket preservation graft, do not disturb the graft material — no probing, no rinsing with force. Follow written discharge instructions exactly.

Emergency extraction — a note

If you are experiencing acute pain, swelling in the face or neck, fever, or difficulty swallowing or opening your mouth, seek urgent dental or medical attention in New Zealand. Do not fly with an active dental infection. Dental abscesses can spread rapidly, and altitude changes can accelerate pain and, in rare cases, worsen the spread of infection.

Treat the emergency locally. Once the acute phase is resolved — antibiotics have cleared the infection, swelling has settled — then plan the restorative work (extraction, graft, implant) at our clinic at a time when it can be done properly.

What to send for assessment

To receive a meaningful written extraction plan before committing to travel:

• An OPG or periapical X-ray of the tooth or teeth in question (your NZ dentist can provide a copy)
• Clear photos of the area if the tooth is visible
• A description of symptoms and any diagnosis from your NZ dentist
• Your intended restorative goal — extraction only, or extraction as part of implant planning
• A brief medical history including medications and allergies

Contact us at [email protected]. A written plan returns within 24 hours on weekdays (NZ time).

Next step

If you have a failing tooth and are considering implant replacement, the first step is sending us your X-ray and a description of what your NZ dentist has told you. We will confirm whether the tooth is extractable at our clinic, whether socket preservation grafting is recommended, and what the full two-trip implant pathway would cost in NZD.

Free NZD quote · Dental implants after extraction · Bone grafting · Is it safe?

About this page

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Emily Nguyen

Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic

DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group

Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design

Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.

Last clinically reviewed

26 May 2026

Published by

Picasso Dental Clinic

Review policy

Every medical procedure page on this site is reviewed by a named Picasso clinician before publication and re-checked when pricing, materials, or protocols change. Source documents are linked at the bottom of each page.