Breaking Down Dental Cleaning Costs
At the forefront of preventive dental care stands routine dental cleanings, an essential practice that not only contributes to a radiant smile but also plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal oral health. As individuals grapple with the nuances of healthcare costs, understanding the financial landscape of routine dental cleanings becomes imperative.
This article will outline the average dental cleaning cost and explain why the costs can vary depending on the type and the necessary services included.
Table of Contents
What's Included in the Dental Cleaning Costs
The American Dental Association recommends receiving a professional dental cleaning every 6 months. Depending on their oral health, some patients may benefit from seeing their dental hygienist every 3 to 4 months. The total dental cleaning costs consist of several services to improve oral health and fight harmful bacteria.
These essential services are also important in maintaining total body health. The bacteria in the mouth have been proven to be involved in heart diseases, respiratory diseases, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. This alone makes dental cleaning costs very worth every penny.
The Dental Cleaning
Your skillful dental hygienist will use a combination of ultrasonic and hand instruments to remove food, plaque, and bacteria from the tooth’s surface and gum pockets. Dental cleanings help prevent gum disease and cavities while keeping your teeth strong and healthy.
The type of dental cleaning your mouth needs will influence the total dental cleaning costs. The several different types of dental cleanings are listed below.
- Prophylaxis: This is a routine dental cleaning that is done every 6 months. Adult dental cleanings usually take around 45-60 minutes while children will only need around 30 minutes.
- Full-Mouth Debridement: Without professional dental cleanings, plaque and bacteria will build up in the form of calculus (hardened plaque). This type of cleaning is done when there is too much bleeding and calculus to be removed at one time.
- Fine Scaling: This is the follow-up appointment to a Full-Mouth Debridement and is similar to routine prophylaxis. It will remove any plaque and calculus left over after the gums have a chance to heal and expose what is left to be cleaned.
- Scaling and Root Planing: Patients with gum disease and bone loss will need a more involved cleaning. A deep cleaning will remove the plaque, calculus, and bacteria above and below the gum line.
- Perio Maintenance: After scaling and root planing, patients with gum disease will need more frequent cleanings. The destructive bacteria need to be stabilized every 3-4 months through maintenance cleanings.
Our Healthy Smile Guide and Treating Gum Disease article have additional information on oral hygiene and tips to keep your smile healthy and strong.
Dental X-rays and Images
Dental radiographs are an important preventative and diagnostic service. X-rays help diagnose cavities, evaluate the bone level, check for any abnormalities, and see any plaque buildup called calculus (tartar) under the gums.
The most common types of X-rays that are paired with dental cleanings are listed below.
- Bitewings: These images are done routinely every 12-18 months at the dental cleanings. This is one of the main ways to diagnose cavities and involves 2-4 different images.
- Periapical: A periapical X-ray is an image that shows the whole tooth from the crown to the root. It is routinely done in full mouth series but is also used to diagnose any dental problems like an infection.
- Panoramic: This X-ray is usually taken every 3-5 years. It shows the whole smile and facial structures. It is a necessary screening image for any pathology or abnormalities in the face.
- Full-Mouth Series: A series of X-rays that involves bitewings and periapical images to include full mouth coverage. Also called an FMX, these preventative images are done every 3-5 years.
The Dentist's Exam
The dentist’s exam is an important part of the total dental cleaning cost. Working with the dental hygienist, the dentist will evaluate your oral health and diagnose accordingly. The two types of dental exams are:
- Comprehensive Exam: For new patients, a comprehensive exam is needed to evaluate every surface of the mouth. This can be scheduled with a dental cleaning but some dentists prefer to have two separate appointments.
- Periodic Exams: The dentist will do this exam at dental cleanings which should be scheduled at least every 6 months.
Additional Dental Treatments
Your skillful dental hygienist will include as much as they can in each appointment to keep your smile healthy. Other services that are included in the dental cleaning cost are:
- Dental Probing: Using a small instrument with a ruler at the end, your clinician will measure the gum pockets. This is routinely done around once a year to keep an eye on the gum tissue and bone level.
- Fluoride Treatments: Receiving a fluoride treatment is commonly done with children during their hygiene visits. Adults can also benefit from this preventative service to help reduce sensitivity, strengthen enamel, and lower cavities risk.
- Intraoral Extraoral Exam: This is an important screening tool to evaluate any abnormalities in the mouth but also the head and neck. Oral cancer, skin cancer, and other systemic diseases are commonly caught by dental professionals before medical professionals.
The Average Dental Cleaning Costs
From the factors influencing pricing variations to the impact of geographic locations and insurance coverage, we aim to provide clarity on this integral aspect of oral healthcare. The total dental cleaning cost will vary depending on what services you need, the area you live in, and your oral health status.
The varying dental cleaning costs can be broken down below.
- Dental Cleanings: The routine dental cleaning cost will start at around $100. Depending on the needs of your mouth, the cleaning cost can be up to $150 a session.
- Scaling and Root Planing: This type of dental cleaning can cost up to $300 per quadrant needed.
- Dental X-rays: A set of routine bitewing X-rays can cost around $50. An individual x-ray like a periapical is a little less averaging at about $18. Larger X-rays like the panoramic or full-mouth series will cost on average around $150.
- Dentist’s Exam: A routine periodic exam will cost around $70. The comprehensive exam can cost around $100-$150 but is usually only done for new patients.
- Fluoride Treatments: This preventative treatment can be done in the form of a painted-on varnish or a tray. This can cost around $60 and is usually only covered by insurance for children.
Although the total dental cleaning costs can add up, preventative services are covered by most dental insurance plans. Routine dental cleanings will keep your mouth healthy and prevent cavities and other costly dental treatments.
Check out our article How Much Do Cavities Cost to Fill for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover dental cleanings?
Most insurances cover the total dental cleaning cost because it is a preventative service. Some insurances, such as accidental dental insurance, will not cover dental cleanings or only partially.
How much is a teeth cleaning without insurance?
A professional dental cleaning cost will vary depending on the needs of your mouth. Patients with heavy buildup or gum disease will cost more in order to reach a stable smile. In most cases, the longer the time in between cleanings the higher the cost.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. Certain products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
Understanding the cost of routine dental cleanings is crucial for maintaining both a radiant smile and optimal oral health. In 2024, dental cleaning costs can vary based on the type and necessary services. This article breaks down the average expenses and factors influencing these costs. Stay informed about the financial aspects of dental care to ensure you’re prepared for maintaining your oral health effectively and affordably.
I only have 9 teeth on the bottom, my dentist is charging me 174.00 for cleaning ???
Hi Dawn,
There are many factors that contribute to the total dental cleaning costs for patients. Your oral health needs may take the same amount of time, equipment, and materials compared to other patients who may have all 32 teeth.
I would suggest asking the clerical staff at your dental home to break down your total dental cleaning cost through an itemized to help you get more information.