How Much Does Dental Cleaning Cost?
Having your teeth cleaned richmond va professionally twice a year is crucial to preventing gum disease and maintaining optimal oral health. A professional cleaning typically takes between 45 minutes and an hour and is your first line of defense against tooth decay and other detrimental oral diseases.
If you are an established patient, the cost of a typical cleaning runs between $75 and $200. If you have periodontal disease, you may need a deep cleaning or scaling and root planing, which can cost up to $1200. This will ensure that your mouth is brought back to a healthy state before proceeding with regular maintenance appointments 3 to 4 times a year. The maintenance appointments will cost between $100 and $250.
Dental x-rays are necessary for preventing and diagnosing tooth decay. A full set of x-rays cost between $200 and $300 and are taken every 5 to 7 years. The full set includes your interior teeth, your front teeth, as well as your posterior teeth. Check up x-rays are taken annually and only cover the posterior teeth. Check up x-rays cost between $75 and $150.
Your dentist will also perform an examination after your dental cleaning. Dental exams can cost between $50 and $100.
Dental Insurance and Discounts
If you have dental insurance, your insurance company will have a list of providers in their network and should cover 100% of the cost of your routine cleaning appointments. If you do not have dental insurance or if you go to a dentist that is out of network, there will be some out of pocket cost to you.
Your dentist may offer in-house financing for larger procedures which may include a deep cleaning. You may also consider calling a dental school to see how much a cleaning would be with them. You may be able to get a professional cleaning from a hygiene student who is supervised by a licensed hygienist and dentist for next to nothing.
What can I expect during a dental cleaning?
During a routine cleaning, your hygienist will remove plaque and tartar buildup as well as any staining. They may take x-rays for your dentist review at a later time and your dentist will perform a thorough dental exam after your cleaning is done.
If you are new to the practice, you will likely see the dentist first to establish care and so your dentist can determine what type of cleaning you need. Patients who suffer from periodontal disease may require a deep cleaning before routine maintenance can be established.
A deep cleaning or scaling and root planing will take more than one visit to complete. Your hygienist will numb the area being worked on so that they can remove tartar and bacteria buildup well below the gumline without causing any discomfort. After your deep cleaning is complete, your hygienist will put you on a periodontal maintenance schedule which may have you coming back three or four times a year. Some patients are able to return to a twice yearly schedule after a deep cleaning.