How much does a filling cost in Auckland?
Auckland filling fees by size, what composite and amalgam fillings are, and how to read a filling quote.
Updated 19 October 2026
A one-surface composite (tooth-coloured) filling has an Auckland median of $280, and the middle half of practices charge $248 to $305. Larger fillings cost more: $340 for two surfaces, $390 for three and $450 for four or more. Most Auckland practices now place composite rather than amalgam.
| 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 |
| Examination (check-up)109 Auckland practices | $85 | $65 to $100 | $90 |
| Single x-ray (periapical or bitewing)108 Auckland practices | $30 | $25 to $35 | $30 |
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 does 'surfaces' mean on a filling quote?
A back tooth has five surfaces: the biting surface, the two sides that touch the neighbouring teeth, the cheek side and the tongue side. A small hole on the biting surface is a one-surface filling. Decay between two teeth usually takes in the biting surface and one or both sides, so it becomes a two- or three-surface filling. The fee follows the surfaces because a bigger filling takes longer and needs more shaping.
Composite or amalgam fillings: what is the difference?
Composite is tooth-coloured resin, bonded to the tooth and hardened with a blue light. Amalgam is the older silver filling, a mix of metals including mercury. Amalgam is hard-wearing, but fewer New Zealand dentists place it now, and many practices no longer offer it at all. The NZDA survey reports composite fees only, so we publish no Auckland amalgam figure.
If you have old amalgam fillings that are intact and not causing problems, there is generally no need to replace them. If one cracks or decays underneath, the replacement is usually composite, priced by the surfaces it covers.
What else might be on the bill?
If the filling was found at a check-up, the examination and x-rays are usually charged separately: an examination has an Auckland median of $85 and a single x-ray $30. A temporary filling, used when a tooth needs to settle before a permanent repair, has a median of $190. A very large filling on a weakened tooth may lead to a recommendation for a crown instead, at a median of $1,700.
How do I keep the cost of fillings down?
Go to regular check-ups. Decay caught small is a one-surface filling; left for a few years it can become a large filling, a root canal or an extraction. Ask for an itemised estimate showing each tooth and the number of surfaces, and if several teeth need work, ask whether it can be done over a few appointments.
- Under 18? Basic dental care, including fillings, is free.
- Community Services Card? Niho Ora ki Manukau (AUT oral health clinic) offers a full course of care for $40.
- Insurance? Ask for item codes on the estimate so you can check cover first.
Common questions
How much does a filling cost at the dentist in Auckland?
From an Auckland median of $280 for a one-surface composite filling up to $450 for four or more surfaces (NZDA 2025 fee survey).
Do Auckland dentists still do amalgam fillings?
Some do, but fewer each year, and many practices place only composite. Ask your dentist. The NZDA survey publishes composite fees only.
Is a white filling more expensive than a silver one?
With most practices placing only composite now, the fee you'll be quoted is usually the composite one, priced by the number of surfaces. Ask if you want amalgam and whether it's offered.
Should I replace my old amalgam fillings?
Usually not if they are intact and not causing problems. They are replaced when they crack, leak or have decay underneath.
How long does a filling take?
Most single fillings take 20 to 60 minutes, depending on size and where the tooth is. Several fillings can often be done in one appointment.