How Much Does Periodontal Maintenance Cost?
Professional dental cleaning services are important because they help maintain your regular oral health routine. The main point of these cleanings is to remove any bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the surface of the teeth and between and under the gums if necessary. Most insurance plans cover routine preventative services like dental cleanings, exams, and X-rays, but it’s important to understand the different treatments for preventive care and their cost.
A standard cleaning and its cost:
Routine dental visits come with a standard dental cleaning to clear up any plaque and other debris from the mouth. Most of the work is done on the tooth’s surface, where the teeth are brushed and flossed closely. Then a special tool is used to gently scrape away any plaque buildup on the surface, between teeth, and shallowly on and below the gumline. Once rinsed, the dentist will clean and polish the surface of the tooth with a special coarse toothpaste and a spinning brush. It serves as a way to clear up any leftover plaque and leaves a shiny finish on the surface.
Average Cost: $85 to $160 without insurance, depending on the location. However, this treatment, along with an X-ray and exam, is all covered with insurance.
Specialized/ Periodontal cleaning and its cost:
- Full mouth debridement is the thorough cleaning of the teeth. This is usually done due to the amount of plaque being a bit more than the average cleaning. The amount of buildup tends to interfere with the dental exam, making it harder to be more accurate.
Average Cost: $150 to $260 without insurance coverage. Prices vary depending on the insurance provider.
- Periodontal scaling and root planing is done when there is gum disease present in the gums of the teeth. Also known as a deep cleaning, the dentist will use special tools to scrape away plaque buildup on the surface of the tooth, as well as under the gum line. Root planing is the next step where the roots are smoothed out, as well as any other rough spots on the tooth.
Average Cost: $180 to $295 per quadrant of the mouth without insurance coverage.
- Periodontal maintenance cleaning is done after the initial scaling and root planing cleaning procedure. This is where the removal of plaque and other bacteria comes from deeper below the gumline.
Average Cost: $140 to $220 out-of-pocket, but covers the whole mouth.
What happens if left untreated?
It’s important to make sure to clean your teeth on a regular basis at home as a long-term solution to fight against any oral infections or diseases. However, it’s important to get your teeth cleaned professionally at least once a year for regular cleanings, and at least every six months for periodontal cleanings. Without special intervention, plaque and other harmful bacteria can build up deeper below the gumline. Close contact with the roots can expose the tooth to infections that can rot away at the tooth pulp and nerves. It can lead to pain, trouble functioning in everyday life, or, in even worse cases, tooth loss or extreme illness.
Related Article: Periodontal Maintenance vs Regular Cleaning