How much should a dental deep cleaning cost?
January 5, 2022 6:11 PM Subscribe
I have a quote for deep cleaning from my dentist. How much should I be paying for that procedure?
Is that the same as a root planing? A bit more than 2K USD for four treatments was reasonable in San Francisco in the mid 2000s. Not going with the cheapest option was highly recommended by people I trust, but I didn't test it.
posted by eotvos at 7:06 PM on January 5, 2022
posted by eotvos at 7:06 PM on January 5, 2022
Best answer: A general dentist, whose RDH* will do it, will charge you less than a periodontist, whose RDH will do it. It's called scaling and root planing and is usually billed per quadrant (upper left, lower right, etc) and the cost will, as others have mentioned, vary widely depending on where you are.
It's usually covered pretty well by decent insurance, and then puts you in a category that qualifies you for more frequent "cleanings", called perio maintenance. These happen every 3 or 4 months and are sometimes split between your general dentist's office and the periodontist, if you have one.
It's important to keep these because those decent insurances will often not pay for scaling and root planing a second time over a given period (like 5 years ) so it's out of pocket if you relapse and need it again.
If cost is a real issue for you, look for a hygiene school nearby, they are always in need of patients to learn on, and are supervised to the point where you will surely get a thorough "cleaning"
*Registered Dental Hygienist (in US)
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:08 PM on January 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
It's usually covered pretty well by decent insurance, and then puts you in a category that qualifies you for more frequent "cleanings", called perio maintenance. These happen every 3 or 4 months and are sometimes split between your general dentist's office and the periodontist, if you have one.
It's important to keep these because those decent insurances will often not pay for scaling and root planing a second time over a given period (like 5 years ) so it's out of pocket if you relapse and need it again.
If cost is a real issue for you, look for a hygiene school nearby, they are always in need of patients to learn on, and are supervised to the point where you will surely get a thorough "cleaning"
*Registered Dental Hygienist (in US)
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:08 PM on January 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
In the UK, this would probably be Band 2 treatment, so £65.20.
posted by altolinguistic at 5:21 AM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by altolinguistic at 5:21 AM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
When I had this done a few years ago (US), it was about $200 per quadrant. I didn't have insurance but they were happy to let me space the procedures out and the office also had some kind of membership plan for people paying cash--I paid some amount up front and then the scaling appointments were like $25 each.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 6:35 AM on January 6, 2022
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 6:35 AM on January 6, 2022
Best answer: I just paid $1600 (including sedation) in the US to have all four quadrants done by the periodontist himself.
posted by elphaba at 8:02 AM on January 6, 2022
posted by elphaba at 8:02 AM on January 6, 2022
Further to altolinguistic's comment, if you're paying privately in the UK, look to pay about £75 -£125 (with the later probably being London prices).
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 9:47 AM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 9:47 AM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
I am seeing the hygienist soon, in a private practice in Redbridge (London), and they charge £65 for a deep clean, or £75 if the hygienist also applies a whitening treatment.
posted by essexjan at 11:15 AM on January 6, 2022
posted by essexjan at 11:15 AM on January 6, 2022
When I had this done a few years ago (US), it was about $200 per quadrant.
Similar here in 2017; I was with Delta Dental at the time and looking at my claim history the submitted fee (I assume what my dentist would have *liked* to be paid) was $290/quadrant and the maximum contract allowance and accepted fee (what DD were willing to pay) was $141/quadrant. California, Bay Area, general dentist, the work was done by one of his RDH.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:25 PM on January 6, 2022
Similar here in 2017; I was with Delta Dental at the time and looking at my claim history the submitted fee (I assume what my dentist would have *liked* to be paid) was $290/quadrant and the maximum contract allowance and accepted fee (what DD were willing to pay) was $141/quadrant. California, Bay Area, general dentist, the work was done by one of his RDH.
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 4:25 PM on January 6, 2022
I just paid $250 in Vancouver (Yaletown), earlier this week.
posted by seawallrunner at 8:24 PM on January 6, 2022
posted by seawallrunner at 8:24 PM on January 6, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by NotLost at 6:16 PM on January 5, 2022 [1 favorite]