How Much Does Dental Cleaning Cost?
Has it been a while since your last dental cleaning? That’s okay! Life happens, and for many adults, a dental cleaning may be skipped. Dental cleanings play a critical role in maintaining optimal oral health and preventing gum disease and tooth loss. If you haven’t had a routine dental cleaning in a while, you may be wondering how much a professional cleaning costs now. Below are some details on the typical cost of dental cleaning and tips on how to make your dental care more affordable.
Typical Costs of a Dental Cleaning
A standard professional dental cleaning by a certified oral hygienist typically costs between $75-$200, with an average cost of $127 per cleaning. This cost can vary based on several factors, including the city or state you live in and how prominent or established the dental office is, which can impact its rates.
A dental cleaning appointment for new patients typically includes a medical history review, a comprehensive exam, X-rays, and a thorough cleaning by the hygienist. If you have not been to a dentist in some time or are a new patient, these X-rays are necessary but are an added charge. Your cleaning visit may cost $100-$300 more, depending on the number and type of X-rays needed.
Once you see your dentist, they may recommend a more extensive deep cleaning procedure depending on the extent of your tartar buildup and gum inflamation. Called scaling and root planing, this deep cleaning procedure is usually recommended for individuals with early-stage gum disease whose gums are pulling away from the teeth, allowing plaque to build up below the gumline. A deeper cleaning procedure can cost anywhere between $500-$4,000, depending on the amount of work needed. This means that maintaining routine professional dental cleanings as best as you can is important to help avoid the higher costs associated with deeper cleaning procedures.
Affordable Approaches to Dental Cleaning and Dental Care
If you have dental insurance, most insurance plans usually cover 100% of the insurance plans allowable amount for a dental cleaning at least once per year as preventive care. If you do not have dental insurance, you still have other options.
Some offices provide a cash discount for patients who do not have dental insurance and elect to pay for their treatment in full when scheduling their appointment.
Another option is to look for dental or hygiene schools, which frequently operate clinics that offer affordable and reduced-cost cleanings performed by supervised students or faculty. Dental school cleanings may cost between $15-$50 for a standard teeth cleaning, exam, and X-rays.
If you are unsure where to start when looking for a new dentist, ask a trusted family member or friend which dentist they use. They can provide a firsthand experience of the care that they have received. Do your own research by reading online reviews and calling the office to see if it feels like a good fit. You can also visit the American Dental Association website and search for dentists in your area.
Related Article: What is Teeth Scaling?