Scaling and root planing costs

A routine dental cleaning usually costs around $100. For a dental deep cleaning treatment, including dayton dental scaling and root planing, dentists usually divide the mouth into four quadrants, and clean one quadrant per visit. The course of treatment averages between $750 and $1,200, though this cost is dramatically affected by the extent of the treatment. Some dental deep cleaning procedures are recommended to slow the rate of periodontal disease, which affects the health of the gums, and may precede surgery, which increases cost. Some dental deep cleaning procedures require the participation of specialists, like periodontists, who may cost more but who are able to provide the best treatment possible. Most scaling and root planing procedures are recommended during an initial visit to the dentist for an examination and cleaning, which can range in price from $50 to $200. In many cases, diagnosis and treatment is determined by x-rays, which cost an additional $25-$250. If you have excessive tartar buildup beyond the areas that will be scaled and planed, your dentist may perform a full-mouth debridement, which will cost $75 to $150. Depending on the extent of your treatment, you may choose to have a local anesthetic to numb the area that is being deep cleaned, which may increase the treatment cost by as much as $300. If you are considered high-risk, or if there is infection present, your dentist may also use antibiotic injections to facilitate healing; these can add as much as $90 per tooth.

Many dental insurance plans will cover at least half, if not more, of a dental scaling and root planing treatment. This may help defray your out-of-pocket costs, but be sure to investigate whether your dental insurance plan has a yearly maximum. Because a dental deep cleaning procedure is usually provided in four separate treatments, you may be able to divide your treatment between two calendar years, maximizing your benefits and reducing your personal expenses. There is no discernible difference, in terms of oral health, if patients wait a longer period between scaling and root planing procedures; overall health effects are indistinguishable. In some cases, patients don’t need thorough scaling and root planing on all teeth, which may also reduce the duration of treatment. Additionally, some scaling and root planing treatments are considered preventative, and some are considered therapeutic. In cases of only mild gum disease, a dental deep clean can prevent the disease from worsening and may restore the gums to health. If the patient’s mouth is more than 30% affected by gum disease, which is manifested by swollen, bleeding, or inflamed gums, the treatment is no longer preventative and will be deemed therapeutic. This will also affect cost and insurance coverage. Be sure to talk to your dental health professionals and your insurance provider about your options.

Of course, the best way to save money on your dental health is with regular professional dental exams and cleanings and healthy home hygiene habits. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothbrush and a soft-bristled brush. Be sure to ask your dentist or dental hygienist for directions on how to brush properly and gently, which places less stress on gum tissue. Floss daily, or use a water pick to rinse debris away from the teeth and gumline. But, if gum disease does begin to develop, you can keep it at bay with a dental deep clean treatment.

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