Apicoectomy Cost Melbourne 2026

Apicoectomy (root-end surgery) Cost in Melbourne: 2026 Guide

An apicoectomy — also referred to as root-end surgery or periradicular surgery — is a minor oral surgical procedure performed when conventional root canal treatment has not fully resolved an infection at the tip of a tooth’s root. The oral surgeon or endodontist makes a small incision in the gum, removes the infected apex of the root along with any associated cyst or granuloma, seals the root end with a biocompatible filling material, and sutures the tissue closed. The aim is to preserve the natural tooth and prevent the need for extraction and replacement. Because the procedure combines surgical complexity with specialist expertise, it sits at a higher price point than standard endodontic treatment.

In Melbourne, the cost of an apicoectomy typically ranges from $1,200 to $2,500 per tooth, depending on the tooth involved, the complexity of the root anatomy, and whether the procedure is performed by a specialist endodontist or a general dentist with advanced training. Single-rooted anterior teeth — incisors and canines — tend to fall toward the lower end of the range, while multi-rooted molars with curved or calcified canals are more technically demanding and attract fees closer to the upper limit. Patients should treat any quoted figure as an estimate and confirm the full fee breakdown — including surgical consumables, sedation where applicable, and follow-up radiographs — before proceeding.

Melbourne’s fee levels position the city as a mid-tier market nationally: generally below Sydney, where specialist apicoectomy fees can reach $2,800 or more, and above Brisbane and regional Queensland, where fees more commonly fall in the $1,000–$2,000 band. Within Melbourne itself, geography plays a meaningful role. Practices in the Inner East (Kew 3101, Hawthorn 3122, Camberwell 3124) and Bayside (Brighton 3186, Cheltenham 3192) clusters tend to price toward the premium end of the Melbourne range, reflecting higher practice overheads and a concentration of specialist-level providers. The Outer East (Glen Waverley 3150, Box Hill 3128, Doncaster East 3109, Ringwood 3134) and Northern suburbs (Preston 3072, Brunswick 3056, Bundoora 3083) represent a mid-tier band where fees are competitive without being the lowest in the metropolitan area. The Western corridor (Hoppers Crossing 3029, Werribee 3030, Footscray 3011) and the South East (Dandenong 3175, Frankston 3199) generally offer the most accessible fee points, making them worth considering for patients who are not bound to a particular suburb.

Typical Apicoectomy (root-end surgery) Costs in Melbourne

Melbourne vs Other Locations

What Affects the Cost

• Tooth location and root complexity: Anterior single-rooted teeth are less time-intensive than multi-rooted molars; greater complexity means longer chair time and a higher fee.
• Specialist versus general dentist: Specialist endodontists typically charge more than general practitioners performing the same procedure, but may be the only option for anatomically difficult cases.
• Imaging requirements: If a cone beam CT scan (CBCT) is needed to map root anatomy before surgery, this adds $150–$350 on top of the surgical fee — not all practices include it in the quoted price.
• Suburb and practice overhead: Inner East and Bayside practices operate in higher-rent locations, and this is commonly reflected in fee schedules; Western and South East suburb practices often carry lower overheads.
• Sedation or anaesthesia: Most apicoectomies are performed under local anaesthetic only, but patients who opt for intravenous sedation or who require it due to medical history will incur an additional fee of $200–$600 depending on the provider.

Health Insurance and Payment Options

Most Extras health insurance policies that include Endodontics will apply a partial rebate to an apicoectomy, most commonly billed under item 417 (periradicular surgery). Some funds also recognise item 416 (surgical endodontic procedure) depending on how the claim is coded by the treating provider. Rebate levels vary substantially by fund and tier: basic Extras policies may return $250–$400, while top-tier hospital and Extras combinations from major funds such as Medibank, BUPA, HCF, or NIB can return $500 or more. Patients are advised to call their fund with the specific item number before the appointment to confirm the benefit and avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs. The Medicare Benefits Schedule does not cover apicoectomy for most patients; however, DVA Gold Card holders may have access to fully covered treatment through registered DVA dental providers, and NDIS participants with dental included in their plan should confirm with their plan manager.

For patients without Extras cover or facing a significant gap, several payment options are available at many Melbourne practices. DentiCare allows the fee to be spread across monthly instalments with no interest where the plan is structured correctly, and is accepted at a growing number of metropolitan practices. Zip Money and Afterpay are also offered at select clinics and allow patients to split payments over a period of weeks to months. It is worth confirming which options a practice accepts before booking, as not all providers offer all plans. Some practices also offer in-house payment arrangements for established patients — asking directly at the time of the consultation is worthwhile.

Related Melbourne Dental Guides

• Root Canal Cost Melbourne
• Dental Crown Cost Melbourne
• Dental Extraction Cost Melbourne
• Gum Disease Treatment Cost Melbourne
• Dentist Melbourne Inner East