Dental treatments
Grouped the way Auckland clinics group them. Each guide sets out what the treatment involves, how many visits it usually takes, what moves the price, and what Auckland practices charge.
Updated 10 October 2026
What does general dentistry cover?
General dentistry is the routine care that keeps teeth working: examinations, scale and polish, x-rays, fillings, extractions and root canal treatment. It is what a dentist does at a standard appointment, as distinct from cosmetic work that changes how teeth look or orthodontics that moves them.
- Examination and check-up (Auckland median $85 and up)
- Scale and polish (clean) (Auckland median $250 and up)
- Fillings (Auckland median $280 and up)
- Extractions (Auckland median $300 and up)
- Root canal treatment (Auckland median $1,100 and up)
- Crowns (Auckland median $1,700 and up)
What does cosmetic dentistry include?
Cosmetic dentistry covers treatments chosen to change how teeth look rather than to fix a functional problem: whitening, composite bonding, porcelain veneers, crowns used cosmetically, and clear aligners. Some are reversible and some permanently alter the tooth, which is the distinction that matters most before committing.
- Teeth whitening (Auckland median $450 and up)
- Composite bonding (Auckland median $550)
- Porcelain veneers (Auckland median $1,695)
- Crowns used cosmetically (Auckland median $1,700)
- Clear aligners
What is the difference between braces and clear aligners?
Both move teeth into a new position over months. Fixed braces are bonded on and work continuously, which suits complex movement and removes the question of compliance. Clear aligners are removable and less visible, but only work while worn, typically twenty to twenty-two hours a day.
- Fixed braces
- Clear aligners
- Retainers
Where do the prices come from?
From the NZ Dental Association’s 2025 fee survey, which publishes what practices in each region reported charging. We use the Auckland table and show the median and the middle half of practices. Orthodontics is not in the survey, so that guide shows no figure. Every Auckland fee in one place.
Asking any practice for a written quote before treatment starts is normal and reasonable.