How much does a deep teeth cleaning cost? If the answer to this question is keeping you from scheduling your next dental appointment, we hope to change that today!
Though deep cleanings are important for your oral health, many people avoid getting them because they’re worried about the cost. Luckily, knowing what to expect can help ease those fears!
In this article, we’ll answer key questions like:
- Why do I need a deep cleaning?
- What is involved in deep cleaning teeth?
- How much is a deep cleaning at the dentist?
- How much does deep cleaning cost without insurance?
- How much does a dentist charge to clean your teeth?
We’ll also offer tips on making a deep cleaning more affordable. Let’s get started!
Why Do I Need A Deep Cleaning?
A deep cleaning (also called scaling and root planing) is a procedure that dentists use to treat gum disease (gingivitis) and periodontitis (a severe form of gum disease). It’s different from a regular cleaning or dental check-up and may require multiple appointments, depending on the severity and scope of your needs.
Gum disease is often the result of poor oral habits, like not brushing and flossing daily. Some of the signs of gingivitis include:
- Swollen or puffy gums
- Dark red gums
- Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss
- Tender gums
- Receding gums
If you catch your gum disease in its early stages and get a deep cleaning, your dentist will likely be able to restore your teeth and gum without any serious issues (though, you will need to put good oral habits in place and may need to schedule more regular cleanings to keep gum disease at bay).
However, not treating gum disease immediately can severely impact your teeth and overall oral health. Your dentist can still scale and root plane your teeth, but advanced gum disease may require a root canal or tooth extraction.
Regardless of the severity of your gum disease, getting a deep cleaning is the only way to restore your gums and teeth.
What Is Involved In Deep Cleaning Teeth?
A deep cleaning dental procedure is a two-step process that involves:
- Scaling your teeth
- Root planing
Here’s a closer look at these two steps in more detail.
Scaling
Step one of the deep cleaning process is scaling your teeth. It involves your dentist using a metal tool to scrape plaque and bacteria off the surface of your teeth.
When you eat food or drink something with sugar in it, plaque will form and bacteria can get trapped in the plaque. If not removed, these bacteria will start to produce acids that can break down your teeth and infect your gums.
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth every day is a great way to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth. But with gum disease, the plaque and bacteria can harden on your teeth and can’t be completely removed without scaling.
Once your dentist has finished scaling your teeth, they’ll move on to root planing.
Root Planing
During the root planing step, your dentist will use another metal tool to dig deeper into your gum tissue directly around the infected teeth. This will remove bacteria from within your gums and provide a clean space for your gums to reattach to your tooth.
Root planing is necessary to remove all of the bacteria from your teeth. Otherwise, if your dentist only scaled your teeth, the bacteria inside your gums would continue to affect your oral health.
How Often Should I Get A Deep Cleaning?
As we mentioned earlier, a deep cleaning procedure is only necessary for those who are dealing with gum disease.
If you currently practice good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing every day) and schedule a dental check-up every 6 months, then you shouldn’t need a deep cleaning. However, if you’re prone to or have a history of gum disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent cleanings to ensure everything stays under control.
But for those who don’t have good oral hygiene habits or haven’t been to the dentist in a while, they’ll be at higher risk for gum disease and will most likely need a deep cleaning at some point.
How Much Does A Deep Teeth Cleaning Cost?
Now that you know more about deep cleaning in general, it’s time to tackle the questions you really want to know: “How much is a deep cleaning at the dentist?” and “How much is a deep cleaning without insurance?”
There’s not a straightforward answer to this question because several factors can influence a gingivitis cleaning cost. Generally, a deep cleaning is charged by the quadrant (with four quadrants in your mouth total).
The average price is around $240-315/quadrant. However, a deep cleaning cost will also vary based on a few other factors:
- The price your dentist charges: The cost of a deep cleaning varies from dentist to dentist. Some dentists charge more than others, so you’ll want to ask your dentist what they charge.
- Your insurance coverage: If you have dental insurance, your deep cleaning may be partially or fully covered. But not all insurance plans cover deep cleaning costs, so check with your insurance company before making an appointment with your dentist.
- The severity and scope of your deep cleaning: Your deep cleaning cost will also depend on how much of your mouth is affected by gum disease. A full mouth deep cleaning will cost more than a deep cleaning for one or two quadrants.
- The location: How much does a dental deep cleaning cost? Where you live can have an impact on the cost of care, too. Do your research (a simple google search for “teeth deep cleaning cost near me” is a great place to start!) to find a dentist in your area who offers dental deep cleanings at a reasonable price.
But regardless of the price of a deep cleaning, it’s the only way to rid your mouth of gum disease and get your oral health back on track.
How Much Is A Deep Cleaning Without Insurance?
We mentioned this briefly above, but your insurance may pay a portion of a deep cleaning cost. They often don’t pay for the whole procedure, with many only paying around 50% maximum. Whatever your insurance does cover, you’ll be left paying the difference.
If you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover this type of care, then you’ll be responsible to pay the full amount out-of-pocket.
Luckily, there are a few ways to help ease the financial burden of a deep cleaning, like:
- Payment plans: Many dentists offer payment plans (sometimes even without added interest) to help make the cost more manageable. Don’t be afraid to ask about this option—it can help you get the care you need without breaking the bank.
- Dental savings plans: Some dentist offices offer dental savings plans, which let you pay a flat fee each year to receive exam and x-ray coverage along with a discount on all major treatments, including deep cleanings.
While the cost of a deep cleaning might feel expensive, the costs of ignoring your oral health are much greater.
Schedule Your Deep Cleaning At Northside Dental Co.
When scheduling dental cleanings, patients may have fears about:
- Their oral health
- The treatment process
- Out-of-pocket costs
Hopefully, we’ve been able to ease some of these fears and answer some of your top questions like “How much does a deep teeth cleaning cost?” and “What is involved in deep cleaning teeth?”
Understanding the deep cleaning process and knowing what to expect will help you make the best decision for your oral health. And remember: There are several ways to make the costs manageable, so don’t let the initial price of a gingivitis cleaning cost you.
At the end of the day, a deep cleaning procedure is absolutely necessary for anyone with gum disease. Otherwise, it can lead to more serious oral health and more expensive dental treatments.
If you live in the Richmond, Virginia area, you don’t have to Google “teeth deep cleaning cost near me” as you’ll always find the best care and the best prices at Northside Dental Co.
We’re committed to helping you maintain your oral health, and we offer payment plans and dental savings plans to make the cost of dental care affordable for you and your family. Our trained dentists have extensive experience in deep cleanings and are ready to help you get your oral health back on track.
Contact us today to schedule a deep cleaning with our caring team. We can’t wait to help you achieve and maintain optimal oral health!
