Root canal cost in Auckland
What Auckland practices charge for root canal treatment by the number of canals, and the crown that usually comes after.
Updated 19 October 2026
A root canal on a single-canal tooth has an Auckland median of $1,100, rising to $1,300 for two canals, $1,600 for three and $1,700 for four or more. Those figures exclude the crown that a back tooth usually needs afterwards, which has a median of $1,700 for ceramic.
| 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 |
| Crown, ceramic94 Auckland practices | $1,700 | $1,563 to $1,830 | $1,700 |
| Crown, temporary25 Auckland practices | $360 | $300 to $500 | $300 |
| Extraction, simple102 Auckland practices | $300 | $254 to $350 | $300 |
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.
Why does a molar root canal cost more?
Because the fee follows the number of canals, and back teeth have more. Front teeth usually have one canal. Premolars have one or two. Molars typically have three or four, often narrow and curved, which takes longer to find, clean and fill. That's why the same treatment can be roughly a thousand dollars on a front tooth and closer to two thousand on a molar once the crown is counted.
Do I need a crown after a root canal?
On a back tooth, usually. A root-filled molar or premolar is more brittle and can split under chewing forces, so most dentists recommend a crown to protect it. That's a separate fee: a ceramic crown has an Auckland median of $1,700, and you may pay for a temporary crown ($360) while it's made. Front teeth can often be restored with a filling instead. Ask for the root canal and the crown on the same written estimate.
Is a root canal worth it, or should I have the tooth out?
Pulling the tooth is cheaper on the day: a simple extraction has an Auckland median of $300. But a gap has its own cost. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant costs more than a root canal and crown (fixture $2,600 plus crown $2,900 at the median), and leaving the gap lets the neighbouring teeth drift. If the tooth can be saved, saving it is usually the cheaper long-term choice.
General dentist or endodontist?
Most root canals are done by general dentists. A dentist may refer you to an endodontist, a specialist in root canal treatment, for a tooth with unusual anatomy, a previous root canal that has failed, or a canal that can't be found or cleaned. Specialists quote their own fees and are not in the survey figures above. You can check any dentist's or specialist's registration on the Dental Council register.
Common questions
How much is a root canal in Auckland?
From an Auckland median of $1,100 for one canal to $1,700 for four or more (NZDA 2025 fee survey), not including the crown.
How much is a root canal and crown in Auckland?
For a molar, roughly $3,300 to $3,400 at the Auckland medians: $1,600–$1,700 for the root canal plus $1,700 for a ceramic crown.
How many appointments does a root canal take?
Usually one or two, sometimes three for a complicated molar or an infected tooth. The crown, if needed, is a further one or two visits.
Is root canal treatment painful?
It is done under local anaesthetic, and most people find it no worse than a filling. The tooth may be tender for a few days afterwards.
Can I pay off a root canal?
Many Auckland practices offer payment plans or finance for larger treatment. Ask when you book, and ask for a written, itemised estimate first.