Dental costs in Auckland
What Auckland practices charge for each treatment, from the NZ Dental Association's 2025 fee survey, with the national figure alongside for comparison.
Updated 10 October 2026
How much does a dentist cost in Auckland?
A check-up with bitewing x-rays and a scale and polish has an Auckland median of $250, and the middle half of practices charge $195 to $305. A one-surface filling has a median of $280, a root canal from $1,100, and a ceramic crown $1,700.
New Zealand dental fees are not regulated and practices are not required to publish them, which is why two clinics a few streets apart can quote noticeably different amounts. The survey figures below are what Auckland practices reported charging. They are a yardstick for a quote, not a quote.
Source: NZDA 2025 Fees and Dental Workforce Survey, fee tables (all respondents), Auckland regional table, GST inclusive. Read 10 October 2026. These are what practices reported charging, not a quote: ask the practice for a written estimate.
How much is a dental check-up in Auckland?
The middle half of Auckland practices charge $65 to $100 for an examination on its own, with a median of $85. With bitewing x-rays the median is $120, and an examination, x-rays, scale and polish together has a median of $250, which is the figure most people mean by a check-up and clean.
| Treatment | Auckland median | Middle half of practices | NZ median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination (check-up)109 Auckland practices | $85 | $65 to $100 | $90 |
| Examination and bitewing x-rays114 Auckland practices | $120 | $91 to $155 | $126 |
| Examination, bitewing x-rays, scale and polish91 Auckland practices | $250 | $195 to $305 | $210 |
| Consultation for a specific problem111 Auckland practices | $80 | $65 to $99 | $85 |
| Scale and polish, per 15 minutes85 Auckland practices | $95 | $70 to $125 | $92 |
| Single x-ray (periapical or bitewing)108 Auckland practices | $30 | $25 to $35 | $30 |
| Panoramic x-ray (OPG)106 Auckland practices | $110 | $96 to $125 | $110 |
How much does a filling cost in Auckland?
It depends on how many surfaces of the tooth the filling covers. A one-surface composite (tooth-coloured) filling has an Auckland median of $280, two surfaces $340, three surfaces $390, and four or more $450.
| Treatment | Auckland median | Middle half of practices | NZ median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite filling, 1 surface101 Auckland practices | $280 | $248 to $305 | $250 |
| Composite filling, 2 surfaces103 Auckland practices | $340 | $298 to $395 | $320 |
| Composite filling, 3 surfaces101 Auckland practices | $390 | $350 to $450 | $385 |
| Composite filling, 4 or more surfaces98 Auckland practices | $450 | $396 to $519 | $450 |
| Temporary filling95 Auckland practices | $190 | $150 to $230 | $185 |
How much does it cost to have a tooth out in Auckland?
A simple extraction has an Auckland median of $300, with each additional tooth at the same appointment around $220. A surgical extraction, where the tooth is broken or below the gum, has a median of $500. Wisdom teeth are often surgical.
| Treatment | Auckland median | Middle half of practices | NZ median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extraction, simple102 Auckland practices | $300 | $254 to $350 | $300 |
| Extraction, each additional tooth80 Auckland practices | $220 | $175 to $285 | $200 |
| Extraction, surgical95 Auckland practices | $500 | $400 to $600 | $500 |
| IV sedation33 Auckland practices | $585 | $500 to $680 | $550 |
How much is a root canal in Auckland?
The fee rises with the number of canals in the tooth. Auckland medians run from $1,100 for a single-canal front tooth to $1,700 for a molar with four or more canals. These figures exclude the crown that usually follows, which is a separate fee.
| Treatment | Auckland median | Middle half of practices | NZ median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root canal, 1 canal (no crown)98 Auckland practices | $1,100 | $900 to $1,200 | $1,000 |
| Root canal, 2 canals (no crown)98 Auckland practices | $1,300 | $1,100 to $1,400 | $1,254 |
| Root canal, 3 canals (no crown)96 Auckland practices | $1,600 | $1,458 to $1,800 | $1,600 |
| Root canal, 4 or more canals (no crown)86 Auckland practices | $1,700 | $1,459 to $1,893 | $1,700 |
How much does a crown cost in Auckland?
A ceramic crown has an Auckland median of $1,700, and the middle half of practices charge $1,563 to $1,830. Gold crowns cost more, with a median of $2,000. A three-unit bridge has a median of $4,500.
| Treatment | Auckland median | Middle half of practices | NZ median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown, ceramic94 Auckland practices | $1,700 | $1,563 to $1,830 | $1,700 |
| Crown, porcelain fused to metal57 Auckland practices | $1,700 | $1,500 to $1,900 | $1,700 |
| Crown, gold77 Auckland practices | $2,000 | $1,800 to $2,450 | $2,000 |
| Crown, temporary25 Auckland practices | $360 | $300 to $500 | $300 |
| Bridge, 3 units81 Auckland practices | $4,500 | $4,000 to $5,100 | $4,500 |
How much does a dental implant cost in Auckland?
An implant is billed in parts. The surgical fixture has an Auckland median of $2,600 and the crown on top a median of $2,900, so the two main parts together come to about $5,500 at the median, before any bone grafting, scans or abutment the practice lists separately.
| Treatment | Auckland median | Middle half of practices | NZ median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implant fixture (the surgical part)31 Auckland practices | $2,600 | $2,500 to $3,000 | $2,990 |
| Implant crown (single tooth)74 Auckland practices | $2,900 | $2,538 to $3,138 | $2,950 |
| Panoramic x-ray (OPG)106 Auckland practices | $110 | $96 to $125 | $110 |
How much does teeth whitening cost in Auckland?
Take-home whitening kits have an Auckland median of $450 and in-chair whitening a median of $650. Veneers are charged per tooth: composite veneers have a median of $550 and porcelain veneers $1,695.
| Treatment | Auckland median | Middle half of practices | NZ median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitening, take-home kit82 Auckland practices | $450 | $385 to $500 | $480 |
| Whitening, in the chair52 Auckland practices | $650 | $538 to $784 | $699 |
| Veneer, composite93 Auckland practices | $550 | $400 to $700 | $500 |
| Veneer, porcelain72 Auckland practices | $1,695 | $1,450 to $1,843 | $1,650 |
How much do dentures cost in Auckland?
A full upper or lower denture has an Auckland median of $2,000, and a full set of both a median of $3,800. A custom mouthguard has a median of $343 and a bite splint for grinding $650.
| Treatment | Auckland median | Middle half of practices | NZ median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full denture, upper or lower55 Auckland practices | $2,000 | $1,800 to $2,500 | $2,000 |
| Full dentures, upper and lower54 Auckland practices | $3,800 | $3,225 to $4,500 | $3,800 |
| Custom mouthguard54 Auckland practices | $343 | $266 to $478 | $328 |
| Bite splint (night guard)78 Auckland practices | $650 | $559 to $784 | $600 |
Source: NZDA 2025 Fees and Dental Workforce Survey, fee tables (all respondents), Auckland regional table, GST inclusive. Read 10 October 2026. These are what practices reported charging, not a quote: ask the practice for a written estimate.
What about braces and clear aligners?
The NZDA survey does not cover orthodontic treatment, and we publish no figure we cannot source. Orthodontic fees depend heavily on how much movement is needed and who supervises it. Our orthodontics guide explains what drives the quote and what to ask is included.
Are there cheaper options in Auckland?
Yes, for people who qualify. Niho Ora ki Manukau (AUT oral health clinic) at AUT South Campus, 640 Great South Road, Manukau publishes its own price list, read on 10 October 2026:
| At the AUT clinic | Price |
|---|---|
| Children under 18 | Free |
| Adults, full course of care (assessment, x-rays if needed, scale and polish) | $60 |
| Adults with a Community Services Card, full course of care | $40 |
| Each additional appointment (with a card: $10) | $20 |
| Tooth whitening, trays and kit | $230 |
Treatment is by students under supervision and may take up to five appointments. It does not offer same-day relief of pain for adults. AUT’s current costs.
Adults with a Community Services Card can also use Health NZ’s relief-of-pain clinic, at $40 on the day. The dental emergencies page has the details, and free and subsidised care covers under-18s, Work and Income and ACC.
How do I keep a dental bill down?
- Ask for a written, itemised estimate before anything beyond a check-up. It lets you compare line by line with the tables above.
- Ask what is not included. For a root canal, whether the crown is in the figure. For an implant, whether scans, the abutment and the crown are.
- Ask whether the work can be staged over several months if more than one tooth needs treatment.
- Keep up regular check-ups. A small filling caught early is a fraction of the cost of the root canal and crown it can turn into.
- Check the routes you may qualify for before paying privately: under 18, Work and Income, ACC and the Community Services Card clinics.
Common questions
Where do these Auckland figures come from?
From the NZ Dental Association's 2025 Fees and Dental Workforce Survey, which publishes fee tables by region. We use the Auckland table, which draws on around 90 to 115 Auckland respondents for the common items. The "middle half" is the range between the lower and upper quartile: a quarter of practices charge less, a quarter more.
Why is my quote higher than the median?
A median is the middle fee, so half of Auckland practices charge more. A quote can also bundle items the survey lists separately, such as x-rays with an examination, or a crown after a root canal. Ask the practice to itemise it, and compare item by item.
Are Auckland dentists more expensive than the rest of New Zealand?
For some items, a little. The Auckland median for a check-up with x-rays and a clean is $250 against $210 nationally, and a one-surface filling is $280 against $250. For crowns, extractions and root canals the Auckland and national medians are close.
What is the cheapest way to see a dentist in Auckland?
If you qualify, the publicly funded and teaching routes. Under-18s are free. AUT's teaching clinic in Manukau lists a full course of basic care for adults at $60, or $40 with a Community Services Card. Health NZ's relief-of-pain clinic charges $40 for adults with a card. All the free and subsidised routes.
Does health insurance cover dental?
Some policies include a dental benefit or a separate dental add-on, usually with an annual limit; many exclude cosmetic work. Check your own policy wording, and ask the practice for item codes on the quote so you can check cover before treatment.
Can I pay off dental treatment?
Many Auckland practices offer payment plans or third-party finance for larger treatment, and some stage treatment over several months. Ask when you book. Work and Income may help with emergency treatment if you are on a low income.