Emergency dental costs
How much does an emergency dental visit cost?
At Y3 Smiles Dental in Broadmeadows, an emergency consultation is from $65. What you pay in total depends on what the dentist finds and whether you have treatment on the same day. We explain every fee before we start, and claim your health fund on the spot through HICAPS.
What's included in the emergency consultation?
The consultation covers a focused examination of the tooth or area that's bothering you, a diagnosis, and a clear explanation of your options with their fees. It is the step that tells you what's actually wrong. If the dentist needs an x-ray to see inside the tooth or below the gum, they'll tell you why and what it costs before taking it.
What changes the total cost?
Two people can walk in with the same toothache and leave with different bills, because the cause is different. The main things that move the total are:
- Whether you need x-rays. Many problems can't be diagnosed properly without seeing the root and bone.
- Whether treatment happens on the day. Some visits end with pain relief and a plan. Others include a filling or an extraction.
- How much of the tooth is affected. A small chip costs less to fix than a tooth broken below the gum.
- Whether the tooth can be saved. Saving a tooth with root canal treatment costs more up front than removing it, but removing it can mean replacement costs later.
- Follow-up appointments. Some treatment is started in an emergency visit and finished later.
What do common emergency treatments cost?
These are starting fees at Y3 Smiles Dental. Your dentist will confirm the fee for your situation before any treatment begins.
| Treatment | Fee | When it's used |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency consultation | From $65 | Examination of the problem, diagnosis and your options |
| Small filling | From $200 | Repairing a small break or lost filling |
| Larger filling | From $300 | More of the tooth rebuilt |
| Simple extraction | From $250 | When a tooth can't be saved |
| Surgical extraction | Assessed individually | Assessed on the day |
| Root canal treatment | From $1,350 | Depends on how many canals the tooth has; usually over more than one visit |
| Crown | From $1,600 | Often needed later to protect a badly broken tooth |
Prices are a guide and shown as a starting point. Your final fee depends on your clinical needs and is confirmed in a written quote before treatment begins.
Which item numbers might be on your invoice?
Health funds work out your rebate from the item numbers in the Australian Schedule of Dental Services. Knowing them lets you ring your fund before you commit. Common ones in an emergency visit are:
- 013 limited oral examination, the usual item for an emergency consultation
- 022 intraoral x-ray, per image
- 419 emergency removal of the nerve to relieve pain
- 311 removal of a tooth
Your dentist can tell you the likely item numbers for your treatment before you go ahead.
Can I claim an emergency visit on my health fund?
If your extras cover includes general dental, you can usually claim part of the consultation, x-rays and treatment. We process the claim through HICAPS while you're here, so you only pay the gap on the day. How much you get back depends on your fund, your level of cover and any waiting periods, so check with your fund using the item numbers above. We accept all health funds that use HICAPS. See health funds at Y3 for more.
What if I can't pay it all at once?
For larger treatment, you can spread the cost with Afterpay or humm, subject to their approval. humm is regulated credit, so fees apply and interest may apply. The details are on our payment options page. If you're worried about cost, tell us when you call. We'll explain the options, including what can be done now and what can wait.
Why can the cheapest option cost more later?
In an emergency it's tempting to choose whatever is quickest and cheapest today. Sometimes that's the right call. But a temporary fix left too long, or a tooth removed that could have been saved, can lead to bigger costs down the track. Your dentist will lay out the options side by side, including the cost of doing nothing, so you can decide with the full picture. For what the appointment itself involves, see emergency dental appointments.
Other questions people ask
Is the emergency consultation the same price as a normal consultation?
Yes. An emergency consultation is from $65, the same starting fee as a standard consultation.
Can I get a written estimate before treatment?
Yes. We can give you a written breakdown of the fees and item numbers, so you can check your rebate with your health fund before you decide.
Can I pay with Afterpay?
Yes, Afterpay is available for dental treatment, subject to Afterpay's own approval and account limits. humm is also available; it is regulated credit, so fees apply and interest may apply. Ask us which suits you.
Will I get a receipt with item numbers?
Yes. Your invoice lists the ADA item numbers for everything we did, which is what your health fund uses to work out your rebate.
Does Medicare cover emergency dental?
Medicare doesn't cover general dental care for adults. Eligible children may be covered under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, which we bulk bill.