AUD cost guide
Root canal cost in Vietnam vs Australia — 2026 AUD
Root canal treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam from AUD 145 (incisor) to AUD 340 (molar retreatment) vs AUD 1,500–3,500 at Australian private clinics. Full AUD breakdown by tooth type, private health fund item codes.
Root canal treatment at Picasso Dental Clinic costs from AUD 145 (incisor or canine) to AUD 285 (molar) — compared with AUD 1,500–3,500 at Australian private clinics depending on tooth complexity and whether a specialist endodontist is involved. Most Australian patients don't travel specifically for root canals, but the procedure is commonly added to a treatment plan that also includes a crown on the treated tooth.
Root canal treatment (endodontic treatment) removes infected or inflamed pulp tissue from inside a tooth and seals the canal to prevent re-infection. It saves a tooth that would otherwise need extraction. At Picasso, root canal is priced well below Australian private rates — and is often combined with a ceramic crown on the same tooth in the same trip.
Root canal prices at Picasso — May 2026 (AUD)
| Tooth type | Price (AUD) | Canals treated |
|---|---|---|
| Incisor or canine | AUD 145 | 1 canal |
| Premolar | AUD 200 | 2 canals |
| Molar | AUD 285 | 3–4 canals |
| Retreatment — incisor/canine | AUD 285 | 1 canal (existing failed RCT) |
| Retreatment — molar | AUD 340 | 3–4 canals (existing failed RCT) |
These prices cover the root canal procedure only. The crown placed after root canal treatment is a separate cost — Emax crown AUD 510, zirconia crown AUD 395.
Australian private root canal cost benchmarks
| Tooth type | AU general dentist (AUD) | AU endodontist specialist (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Incisor / canine | AUD 1,000 – AUD 1,500 | AUD 1,500 – AUD 2,200 |
| Premolar | AUD 1,200 – AUD 1,800 | AUD 1,800 – AUD 2,800 |
| Molar | AUD 1,500 – AUD 2,500 | AUD 2,500 – AUD 3,500 |
Combined cost — root canal + crown
A root canal treated tooth typically needs a crown to protect it from fracture. The combined cost is the most useful comparison:
| Case | Picasso (AUD) | AU private mid (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Molar root canal + Zirconia crown | AUD 680 | AUD 3,800 |
| Molar root canal + Emax crown | AUD 795 | AUD 4,200 |
| Premolar root canal + Emax crown | AUD 710 | AUD 3,500 |
| Front tooth root canal + Emax crown | AUD 655 | AUD 3,200 |
All-in with a trip for 2 such combinations (a common scenario): Picasso treatment AUD 1,590 + flights AUD 1,000 + 8 nights AUD 600 = AUD 3,190 vs AUD 7,400–8,400 in Australia. Saving: approximately AUD 4,200–5,200.
Private health fund rebates — item codes
| Item code | Description |
|---|---|
| 415 | Root canal — 1 canal |
| 416 | Root canal — 2 canals |
| 417 | Root canal — 3+ canals |
| 613 or 611 | Crown after RCT |
| 022 | OPG |
Keep itemised Picasso invoices with item codes to claim on return to Australia.
Root canal + crown in one trip — is it possible?
Yes. At Picasso, root canal treatment and crown placement can usually be completed in one trip of 7–10 days:
- Day 1–2: Consultation, X-rays, root canal appointment
- Day 2–3: Post-and-core build-up (if needed: AUD 115–225)
- Day 4: Crown preparation and temporary
- Day 6–7: Lab fabrication
- Day 8: Final crown delivery and bite check
The key is that root canal healing does not require months of waiting before crown placement — same-visit crown preparation is clinically routine after a successful root canal.
When to have root canal in Australia rather than Vietnam
- Acute dental pain requiring immediate treatment — get it seen locally first
- Teeth with unusual canal anatomy or calcification that may benefit from specialist endodontist review
- Patients with needle phobia or dental anxiety who want sedation — available at Picasso but easier to manage at home
- A single tooth, no other treatment needed, and the AU private quote is under AUD 2,000 — the trip economics are marginal
Read next
- Root canal — main treatment page
- Crown cost
- Bridges vs implants — when a tooth can’t be saved
- Free quote
Frequently asked questions
How much does root canal treatment cost at Picasso?
Root canal prices at May 2026: Incisor or canine (1 canal) AUD 145; Premolar (2 canals) AUD 200; Molar (3–4 canals) AUD 285; Retreatment (existing failed RCT) AUD 285–340 depending on tooth type. Prices are for the root canal procedure only — the crown placed after RCT is a separate cost (Emax crown AUD 510).
How much does root canal treatment cost in Australia?
Australian private root canal costs depend heavily on whether a general dentist or specialist endodontist performs the procedure. General dentist: AUD 1,000–2,000 per tooth. Specialist endodontist: AUD 1,500–3,500 per tooth depending on complexity and number of canals. Molar root canals requiring endodontist referral are at the top of this range.
Does Medicare or private health fund cover root canals?
Medicare does not cover root canal treatment. Private health fund extras typically cover endodontic treatment — item codes 415 (root canal treatment, 1 canal), 416 (2 canals), 417 (3+ canals). Rebate depends on your fund and annual major dental limit. Many medium-tier policies contribute AUD 400–900 per tooth toward root canal treatment.
Is root canal treatment worth travelling to Vietnam for?
Rarely the sole reason — the saving on a molar root canal (AUD 285 at Picasso vs AUD 1,500–3,500 in Australia) is AUD 1,200–3,200. After flights and accommodation, the economics are borderline for one tooth alone. Root canal makes more sense in the context of a treatment plan: root canal the tooth, then crown it with Emax (AUD 510) in the same trip — total AUD 795 at Picasso vs AUD 2,000–5,000 in Australia for the same combination.
What happens if a root canal is needed unexpectedly during my trip?
Occasionally, a consultation reveals that a tooth needs root canal treatment before a planned crown or veneer. This is identified from the OPG and confirmed clinically. If a root canal was not planned, the itinerary may extend by 1–2 days. Always build buffer days into your Vietnam trip — day 10 is not the day to have the root canal conversation.