Pricing transparency · ADA fee survey + Bupa average dental fees
Dental procedure costs in Australia 2026
Real ranges by item number. Every figure is the 25th – 75th percentile from the Australian Dental Association annual national dental fees survey, cross-checked against Bupa’s published average dental fees and our own AHPRA + ADA-registered provider network. We publish ranges, not single point estimates, because the actual quote you receive depends on metro vs regional location, specialist vs GP dentist, lab fees and material choice.
★Key takeaways
- ✓Real 2026 Australian dental fees are itemised against the ADA schedule (item numbers like 011, 114, 522). Every legitimate quote shows these codes.
- ✓Routine 6-monthly check-up + scale + clean bundle: $280 – $480 in 2026. The advertised "$150 check-up" rarely includes a clean, X-rays or fluoride.
- ✓Composite filling: $150 – $430 depending on surfaces + position. Root canal molar: $1,300 – $2,800. Single implant all-up: $3,500 – $6,000.
- ✓Specialist endodontist + periodontist + oral surgeon + prosthodontist fees run 30 – 60pct above the equivalent GP-dentist quote. Justified by case complexity.
- ✓Preferred-provider networks (Bupa Members First, HCF More for Teeth, Medibank Members Choice) typically reduce out-of-pocket by 0 – 30pct for fund members, but you are choosing from a closed panel.
- ✓Always request an itemised written quote before complex work. ADA item number + lab spec + estimated rebate + estimated out-of-pocket is the minimum line-item set.
Medical disclaimer
This is general information, not clinical or financial advice. Actual dental fees depend on your individual clinical findings, the clinician’s assessment + the products chosen. See a registered dentist for a personalised, itemised written quote. We have no commercial relationship with the ADA or with any health fund.
Fee range
Routine care
| Procedure | ADA item | Range | Bupa avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive oral examination | 011 | $65 – $110 | $78 |
| First-visit exam. Item 011. Includes case history + soft-tissue check. Periodic exam (012) typically $55 – $90. | |||
| Scale + clean (1 unit) | 114 | $110 – $180 | $140 |
| Removal of plaque + calculus. Add-on units (115) for heavier deposits $80 – $140 each. | |||
| Bitewing X-rays (2 films) | 022 x 2 | $70 – $130 | – |
| Standard 6-monthly screening films. OPG (full-mouth panoramic, 037) $120 – $180. | |||
| Fluoride treatment | 121 | $35 – $75 | – |
| Topical application. Routinely bundled with the check-up + clean visit. | |||
| Check-up + clean (typical bundle) | 011 + 114 + 022 x 2 + 121 | $280 – $480 | $340 |
| Most-quoted bundle on a 6-monthly basis. Sits well above the $150-$200 "headline" you sometimes see in marketing. | |||
Range: 25th – 75th percentile of the ADA fees survey. "Bupa avg" is the published average rebate-eligible fee from Bupa’s "Dental Care: average dental fees" public data set. Specialist quotes for the same item are commonly 30 – 60pct above the GP-dentist 75th percentile.
Fee range
Restorative + endodontic
| Procedure | ADA item | Range | Bupa avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite filling (1 surface, anterior) | 511 | $150 – $260 | $195 |
| Front-tooth single-surface. Resin composite (white). Amalgam is rarely placed in Australia in 2026. | |||
| Composite filling (2 surface, posterior) | 522 | $220 – $360 | $280 |
| Molar / premolar two-surface (e.g. mesio-occlusal). Most-common back-tooth filling. | |||
| Composite filling (3+ surface, posterior) | 533 / 535 | $290 – $430 | $360 |
| Larger restorations approaching the threshold for crown coverage. | |||
| Root canal therapy – anterior (single canal) | 414, 416, 417 | $950 – $1,700 | $1,240 |
| Front tooth, single canal. Specialist endodontist 30 – 60 pct above this range. | |||
| Root canal therapy – premolar | 415 + 417 | $1,100 – $1,900 | – |
| Two-canal tooth. | |||
| Root canal therapy – molar (3-4 canals) | 418 | $1,300 – $2,800 | $1,750 |
| Back tooth, multi-canal. Specialist endodontist commonly quoted $2,200 – $3,500 in metro CBDs. | |||
| Porcelain crown (metal-free) | 613 / 615 | $1,500 – $2,500 | $1,850 |
| Lab-made full-coverage crown. Zirconia or e-max. Same-day CEREC crowns sit at the upper end of this range. | |||
| Post + core build-up | 579 / 580 | $250 – $600 | – |
| Required before crowning a heavily-broken-down tooth. | |||
Range: 25th – 75th percentile of the ADA fees survey. "Bupa avg" is the published average rebate-eligible fee from Bupa’s "Dental Care: average dental fees" public data set. Specialist quotes for the same item are commonly 30 – 60pct above the GP-dentist 75th percentile.
Fee range
Surgical + implants
| Procedure | ADA item | Range | Bupa avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple extraction | 311 | $220 – $450 | $280 |
| Routine extraction under local anaesthetic. No flap, no bone removal. | |||
| Surgical extraction | 314 | $380 – $700 | – |
| Sectioning required. Flap raised. Bone-trimming. | |||
| Wisdom tooth – simple (erupted) | 311 / 314 | $300 – $700 | $420 |
| Erupted, straight roots. Local anaesthetic only. | |||
| Wisdom tooth – surgical (impacted) | 316 / 322 | $500 – $1,800 | $850 |
| Bone-impacted. Often done under sedation. Per tooth. All-four under general anaesthetic in a day-hospital $3,500 – $6,500 all-up including theatre + anaesthetist. | |||
| Single dental implant (post + abutment + crown) | 684 + 672 + 615/672 | $3,500 – $6,000 | $4,800 |
| All-up cost for one tooth: titanium implant, healing period, abutment + porcelain crown. Includes the surgical + restorative phase. | |||
| Bone graft (per site) | 688 | $400 – $1,500 | – |
| Often required before implant if bone volume is insufficient. Sinus lift sits at the upper end. | |||
| All-on-4 (full arch, fixed) | package | $25,000 – $35,000 | – |
| Per arch. Four implants + fixed full-arch bridge. Both arches $50k – $65k. Premium centres higher. | |||
Range: 25th – 75th percentile of the ADA fees survey. "Bupa avg" is the published average rebate-eligible fee from Bupa’s "Dental Care: average dental fees" public data set. Specialist quotes for the same item are commonly 30 – 60pct above the GP-dentist 75th percentile.
Fee range
Orthodontic
| Procedure | ADA item | Range | Bupa avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orthodontic consult | 014 | $80 – $250 | – |
| Initial orthodontist consultation. Often discounted if treatment proceeds. | |||
| Invisalign – Express (single arch, minor) | 821 | $3,500 – $5,500 | – |
| Up to 7 aligners. Minor crowding or relapse. | |||
| Invisalign – Lite | 821 | $4,500 – $6,500 | – |
| Up to 14 aligners. Mild-to-moderate cases. | |||
| Invisalign – Full (comprehensive) | 821 | $6,500 – $9,000 | $7,800 |
| Unlimited aligners over 12 – 24 months. Most common adult quote. | |||
| Traditional metal braces (full) | 821 | $6,000 – $9,500 | $7,400 |
| Comprehensive 18 – 24 month course. Adolescent + adult. | |||
| Ceramic / clear braces (full) | 821 | $7,500 – $11,000 | – |
| Tooth-coloured brackets. Aesthetic premium $1,000 – $1,500 over metal. | |||
| Lingual braces (behind teeth) | 821 | $11,000 – $15,000 | – |
| Hidden behind the teeth. Premium technique. Limited number of providers. | |||
| Retainer (per arch) | 825 | $250 – $600 | – |
| Vivera (Invisalign brand) or Essix retainer. Replace every 2 – 4 years. | |||
Range: 25th – 75th percentile of the ADA fees survey. "Bupa avg" is the published average rebate-eligible fee from Bupa’s "Dental Care: average dental fees" public data set. Specialist quotes for the same item are commonly 30 – 60pct above the GP-dentist 75th percentile.
Fee range
Cosmetic
| Procedure | ADA item | Range | Bupa avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-chair whitening (Zoom / Philips) | 118 | $500 – $1,200 | $720 |
| Single session, in-chair. Take-home top-up usually included. | |||
| Take-home whitening kit | 927 | $350 – $700 | – |
| Custom trays + carbamide peroxide gel. Lower-irritation alternative to in-chair. | |||
| Composite veneer (per tooth) | 526 | $400 – $800 | – |
| Direct chairside build-up. 5 – 7 year life-span. Reversible without tooth preparation if done conservatively. | |||
| Porcelain veneer (per tooth) | 556 | $1,800 – $2,800 | $2,150 |
| Lab-made. 10 – 20 year life-span. Typically irreversible (enamel removed). | |||
| Full smile makeover (8 – 10 porcelain veneers) | 556 x 8-10 | $14,000 – $28,000 | – |
| Cosmetic dentist (AACD-credentialled) commonly quoted at the top of this range. | |||
Range: 25th – 75th percentile of the ADA fees survey. "Bupa avg" is the published average rebate-eligible fee from Bupa’s "Dental Care: average dental fees" public data set. Specialist quotes for the same item are commonly 30 – 60pct above the GP-dentist 75th percentile.
Why prices vary
Five drivers explain almost all of the variation
1. Location
Sydney CBD, Melbourne CBD, Toorak, Mosman + the harbourside surgeries carry 30 – 50pct higher chair-rates than outer-metro + regional. Premium rent + premium fit-out + premium customer expectations are passed through.
2. GP-dentist vs specialist
AHPRA Specialists (Endodontist, Periodontist, Oral Surgeon, Prosthodontist, Orthodontist, Paedodontist, Special Needs) charge 30 – 60pct above the GP-dentist equivalent. Reflects 3 – 4 years of additional accredited specialty training + case complexity + indemnity.
3. Lab fees
A $200 lab crown vs a $700 lab crown shows up in the patient quote close to dollar-for-dollar. Local AU lab vs overseas lab + zirconia vs porcelain-fused-to-metal are the two biggest swings.
4. Material choice
Composite vs amalgam (amalgam now rare in Australia); zirconia vs PFM crown; titanium vs grade-V titanium implant; lab-made vs CEREC same-day crown. Each step up the materials ladder $200 – $600.
5. Chair time
A 30-minute filling vs a 60-minute filling at $400 – $500/hour chair-rate is a real $200 – $300 swing before materials. Specialists block longer appointments for complex cases.
Bonus: preferred-provider
Bupa Members First, HCF More for Teeth + Medibank Members Choice clinics accept the fund’s schedule fee + reduce member out-of-pocket by 0 – 30pct on covered items. Trade-off: closed panel. See our extras-cover guide.
Methodology
Sources, period + caveats
- ADA national dental fees survey – the annual private-fee benchmarking survey run by the Australian Dental Association. Most-recent edition. Members can access the full data; range quoted is the 25th – 75th percentile across responding practices.
- Bupa "Dental Care: average dental fees" – Australia’s largest dental insurer publishes average + maximum allowable fees by item number. Public reference: bupa.com.au/health-insurance/dental/dental-fees.
- AHPRA Dental Board fee guidance – the regulator requires advertising to be accurate, balanced + not misleading. Our ranges are designed to give a realistic upper + lower bound, not a marketing-led "from" price.
- Period – fees current to 2026 calendar year. We refresh quarterly; check the page modified-date at the top.
- What this page is not – not a quote, not clinical advice, not a substitute for a written treatment plan. Every patient + tooth is different.
Common questions
Dental procedure costs – common questions
Why does the same procedure cost so much more at one practice than another?
Five drivers explain ~95pct of the variation. (1) Location: CBD + premium-suburb rents push hourly chair-rates up by 30 – 50pct vs outer suburbs. (2) GP-dentist vs specialist: an endodontist root-canal is typically 30 – 60pct above a GP-dentist quote, justified by case complexity + saving teeth previously deemed un-savable. (3) Lab fees: a $200 lab crown vs a $700 lab crown shows up directly in the patient quote (a $500 difference, often passed on close to dollar-for-dollar). (4) Material choice: zirconia / e-max porcelain crown vs porcelain-fused-to-metal; composite filling vs ceramic inlay. (5) Time blocked out: a 30-minute filling appointment vs a 60-minute filling appointment changes the price even before materials. Ask "what is included" and "what is the lab + material spec" when comparing quotes.
Are the ADA item numbers compulsory?
The Australian Dental Association schedule of dental services + glossary (the "item-number system") is the industry standard for itemising treatment, used by every health fund + Medicare. Dentists are not legally required to use the ADA codes, but in practice every quote, invoice + insurance claim is itemised against them. If a quote does not show item numbers, ask for them – you cannot compare quotes or claim insurance without them.
How do I get a written quote before treatment?
Request an itemised treatment plan. The clinician should provide: (a) each ADA item number, (b) the fee per item, (c) the total cost, (d) the estimated insurance rebate (if you have provided your membership details), (e) the estimated out-of-pocket. This is good clinical practice + a Dental Board scope-of-practice expectation. If a practice cannot provide a written quote before complex work, treat that as a red flag.
Why is the cost different from what my insurer rebate suggests?
Health-fund rebates use the fund’s own internal "schedule fee" which is usually below the ADA-survey 50th-percentile. So "60pct back on a $400 filling" means 60pct of the fund’s rebate schedule (perhaps $250), not 60pct of the actual fee. Your out-of-pocket is the difference. Preferred-provider networks (Bupa Members First, HCF More for Teeth, Medibank Members Choice) negotiate to fund’s schedule and so the rebate covers more of the bill.
Can I claim a tax deduction for dental work?
No. Dental work is treated as a personal expense by the ATO. The only exception is for sole traders / self-employed people where dental work is needed for the safe performance of their job (extremely narrow – think a professional brass musician demonstrating a direct work-link). Health-fund premiums are not deductible either. The Medicare Levy Surcharge can be avoided by holding an appropriate hospital policy; extras-only cover does not exempt you from MLS.
Are overseas dental costs really 50 – 70pct cheaper?
On the headline price, often yes – Bali, Thailand, Turkey + Hungary all publish full-mouth packages at materially below Australian comparable. The hidden costs are: (a) travel + accommodation for the multi-visit return trip, (b) Australian follow-up of complications (re-treatment of failed root canals, peri-implantitis, ill-fitting crowns), (c) variable regulator standards + complaints-process recourse, (d) Australian dentists may decline to "warranty" or revise overseas work. For simple cosmetic procedures the maths can work; for complex implant + full-mouth rehabilitation the risk-adjusted total is rarely as cheap as the headline suggests. See our Dental Board <a href="/dentist-register-check/" class="text-[var(--vbrand)] underline">register-check guide</a>.
What is bulk-billing in dentistry?
Bulk-billing in the strict Medicare sense applies only to the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) for eligible children + selected public-scheme adult services. There is no "Medicare for dental" for the general adult population. Some practices market "no gap" or "bulk-billed" check-ups; this is a private-fund arrangement, not Medicare bulk-billing, and only applies to members of the relevant fund (typically the fund’s preferred-provider network).
Why do specialists charge so much more than general dentists?
AHPRA-registered Dental Specialists (Endodontist, Periodontist, Oral Surgeon, Prosthodontist, Orthodontist, Paedodontist, Special Needs, Public Health, Forensic) hold an additional 3 – 4 years of accredited specialty training on top of the BDS/DDS. They are referred the complex cases – the re-treatment root canals, the failing implants, the surgically-impacted wisdom teeth, the complex orthodontic phase-I + phase-II cases – which lengthen chair-time + carry higher equipment + indemnity overheads. The Dental Board only authorises the title "Specialist" against the AHPRA-registered specialty.
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