We all want to enjoy the benefits of a healthy, happy smile. Yet, for the estimated 68.5 million adults in the U.S. who don’t have dental insurance, fears of high costs keep many from taking action.
Fortunately, there are ways to manage out-of-pocket dental cleaning costs and minimize your overall financial burden. In this blog, we discuss how much is out-of-pocket dental cleaning, and what your options are for pursuing teeth cleaning without insurance.
Let’s take a closer look at the process and how to ensure you get the preventive dental care you need.
What’s Teeth Cleaning?
Regular dental cleanings are more than just a way to keep your smile bright and healthy. They also help prevent cavities and gum disease, which can lead to far more extensive and costly treatments. Here are the top benefits of regular teeth cleaning:
- Prevention of gum disease: Dental cleanings help remove plaque and tartar that cause gum disease.
- Tooth retention: Regular cleanings and checkups are crucial for keeping your teeth as you age.
- Early detection of dental issues: During a cleaning, dentists can spot early signs of problems, such as broken fillings, fractures, or oral cancer.
- Overall health: There’s a connection between oral health and systemic health. For example, regular dental cleanings may lower your risk for heart disease.
In short, regular dental cleanings provide many short- and long-term benefits for people of all ages.
Routine Cleaning
Routine cleanings involve the removal of plaque, tartar, and surface stains from the teeth. It’s a preventive measure to maintain good oral hygiene and is a dentist’s most common treatment. It’s typically recommended every six months, although the frequency can vary depending on your specific dental needs and your dentist’s recommendations.
It’s important to note that if it’s been a few years since your last cleaning, you may need a deep cleaning. If you are showing signs of gum disease, legally, a dentist or hygienist is unable to “just do a routine cleaning.”
Deep Cleaning
A deep dental cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, is a more extensive and specialized dental procedure compared to a routine dental cleaning. The primary purpose of deep cleaning is to treat gum disease by removing plaque and tartar not just from the tooth surfaces above the gum line (as done in a routine cleaning) but also from below the gum line on the tooth roots. In general, deep teeth cleaning costs more than routine cleanings.
How Much Is a Dental Cleaning Without Insurance?
Now, you may be wondering, “How much is an out-of-pocket dental cleaning?”
On average, without insurance, the cost of a routine dental cleaning ranges from $125 to $500. New patients will also need to pay for X-rays and a full comprehensive exam. If you are an established patient, one of the biggest factors in cost is the addition of the exam and X-rays.
The dentist is not like a carwash where you can pick the level of service you would like to pay for. There is some flexibility, but a dentist needs to have current X-rays and exams in order to keep seeing you at the office. Unlike routine cleanings, deep cleanings often take several hours, involve numbing, and cost up to $1,500 without insurance.
The cost of dental X-rays and cleaning without insurance varies from dentist to dentist, but these factors can influence the overall cost.
Factors Contributing to the Out-Of-Pocket Cost of a Dental Cleaning
- Your overall oral health: The cost of dental cleanings can vary depending on how much plaque and tartar buildup there is and whether more extensive treatment is necessary.
- Anesthetics: Depending on the state of your oral health, it may be necessary to use local anesthetics or nitrous oxide (laughing gas) during the cleaning procedure.
- Dental X-rays: Every 6-18 months (often once per year) your dentist will likely take X-rays to look for any potential dental problems or emerging concerns.
- New patient evaluation: For new patients, these evaluations include full mouth X-rays and a comprehensive exam to better understand your dental health.
- Fluoride: Fluoride treatment, such as a high-fluoride toothpaste called “Prevident,” helps reduce your risk of cavities and may be added to your appointment for preventative purposes.
Request a cost estimate from your dentist before undergoing any treatment, especially if you don’t have insurance, so there are no surprises.
Evaluating Your Options for Teeth Cleaning Without Insurance
Navigating dental care without insurance can be challenging, but various options can make teeth cleaning services more affordable. Here are some of the options that can help bring down your out-of-pocket cost dental cleaning expenses:
Dental Discount Plans
Dental savings plans are memberships for those without insurance to help minimize costs. Unlike insurance, these plans provide discounts on dental services at participating dentists. They often cover many procedures, including teeth cleanings, X-rays, and dental work. Members can access discounted rates by paying a yearly membership fee.
Financing Options
Many dental offices offer financing options to spread out the cost of dental treatments over time. This can be particularly beneficial for more expensive procedures like implants. Financing options may include in-house payment plans offered by the dental office or third-party financing companies they partner with, like CareCredit.
Dental Schools
Dental schools provide an economical way to access teeth cleaning services for uninsured patients. Dental students supervised by a licensed dentist perform treatment at a significantly reduced cost. This option supports the student’s learning objectives and experience while offering affordable dental care.
Community Health Centers
Local community health centers often offer preventative and urgent dental services on a sliding fee scale based on income. These centers provide an essential resource for individuals without dental insurance, ensuring everyone can access basic dental care regardless of their financial situation.
Don’t Let The Out-Of-Pocket Cost of Dental Cleanings Keep You From A Confident Smile
Teeth cleanings are an integral part of your overall health, so don’t dismiss the importance of visiting the dentist regularly. If you don’t have insurance, you have options at Northside Dental Co.
If you live in Richmond, VA and want an accurate answer to, “How much is out-of-pocket dental cleaning?” reach out to Northside Dental Co. Our team is passionate about providing exceptional and accessible dental care to the local community.
Book a consultation to learn more about how we can help you save on your next dental appointment.
