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Scaling and root planing (sometimes called SRP, SCRP, or deep cleaning) is a special type of dental cleaning designed for people with active periodontal disease. Unfortunately, unlike preventative dental cleanings that you usually book every six months, deep cleanings are not 100% covered by your dental insurance. The cost of SRP cleaning makes some people not want to schedule it. But don’t let the cost of a deep cleaning deter you, because the longer you wait to address your gum infection, the more damage your mouth can do. How much does deep cleaning cost? It depends on how many teeth are involved and what your insurance coverage is. You can also save big by being prepared and save up to 60% on deep cleanings with the Dental Savings Plan.
How Much Does A Dental Cleaning Cost Without Insurance
The easiest explanation for why you need deep cleaning is to understand what regular cleaning can’t do. Regular preventive cleanings are meant for maintenance purposes to keep your mouth healthy. It does not extend far below the gums in deep “pockets” with active disease and heavy tartar buildup. If you skip those areas, that’s essentially “supervised neglect” from your dentist and hygienist. So, if you have evidence of disease in your mouth, your dentist and hygienist will tell you that you need an SRP or “deep cleaning” to restore your smile to a disease-free state.
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Unlike preventive dental cleanings, the cost of a deep cleaning depends on a few different factors at play. Depending on your particular situation, this may cause the SRP price to increase or decrease. Some of the most common variables are:
Deep cleanings are usually divided into fourths, cleaning one fourth of your mouth at a time. Most people with gum disease need to clean all four quadrants of their mouth.
A person without their wisdom teeth has seven teeth per quadruped. But you may have experienced tooth loss or have only a few teeth with active periodontal disease. The cost of deep cleaning can be adjusted depending on the number of teeth involved in each quadrant. Usually, it is “four or more” or less than four.
The total number of appointments affects the total out-of-pocket costs. Especially if sedation or add-on sedation is involved.
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Some people prefer a mild anesthetic during their dental cleaning. Generally, this step is completely optional and left to the preferences of the individual patient. But anesthesia comes at an additional cost, especially if it is a deeper type of medication. Nitrous oxide is the most affordable option and only costs an additional $20-40 per appointment.
Before performing a deep cleaning, your insurance company will require a complete periodontal chart and full mouth series of X-rays to show that you need an SRP. But if there’s too much buildup that your dentist can’t really see to measure your gums, you may need “debridement” first. This is not an actual cleaning; It quickly removes heavy tartar deposits so you can get an accurate test to plan the best treatment.
Technically speaking, periodontal disease does not reverse itself and you will always have some gum and bone loss. Your recurring dental cleanings will probably be a periodontal maintenance visit rather than a preventive cleaning (prophylaxis.) This slight difference must be coded differently on your dental insurance claims, which will also affect your long-term out-of-pocket costs.
Depending on what part of the country you live in, the average is $300 per quadrant if you still have all your teeth. That price fluctuates $100-$150 or more per quadrant. Overall, without insurance, you’re looking at an average of $800-1800 for your full mouth (if you have all your teeth.)
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Quadrants with less than four teeth cost less. In that case, you’re looking at an average of about $100 less per quadrant. So about $200 per quadrant or $600-1200 for your full mouth if you have less than four teeth in each quadrant.
Unlike regular preventive cleanings—which are usually covered 100%—the cost of a deep cleaning is only partially covered by dental insurance. Since insurance is generally prevention-based, it pays more for preventive services. If you have gum disease, you’re no longer preventing dental infections, but treating them.
Every dental insurance policy is different. Usually, the specifics are worked out by your employer or you before buying into the plan. On average, a general dental insurance policy covers about 50% of deep cleanings. This is much less than the 100% that most people use for their dental cleanings. This scenario can lead to a bit of sticker shock, especially if you’re not used to paying $400 or $900 to have all your teeth cleaned. Remember that this is a treatment with soft tissue treatments; This is not maintenance or preventive cleaning.
Neglecting to visit the dentist for your regular checkups can cost you a lot of time, especially if you develop gum disease. But paying for SRP with insurance can save you money and your teeth for the life of your smile. Don’t put it off.
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Hands down, the most common reason people don’t follow through with their deep cleaning is related to the cost of SRP cleaning. They can ask for “just a simple cleaning” that is covered by insurance or call around and try to find an office.
If you don’t get a deep cleaning when you have active gum disease, bacteria can continue to grow under your gums. Over time, the tissues and bone around the roots of your teeth separate and dissolve, causing your teeth to become mobile and eventually fall out. It’s not a matter of “if,” but “when.” The longer you wait to get a deep cleaning, the greater your risk of getting a gum infection out of control.
The more aggressive a person’s gum disease, the more challenging it is to control or treat medical conditions that have proven to be:
The good news is that once you clear the infection in your mouth, your immune system will be boosted and your body will recover better from these underlying medical conditions.
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If you can’t afford a deep cleaning with or without insurance, here are two great options to consider:
Do you live near a dental or dental hygiene school? Your state dental board lists accredited programs in your area. Dental hygiene schools always need patients, especially those with active periodontal disease. Hygiene students must complete a certain number of deep cleanings to actually graduate, and they are closely supervised by dentists and experienced registered dental hygienists. Depending on the school, you can pay $0 or $20 for your deep cleaning. You are there for a little extra time for treatment planning and follow-up to show the holistic care of the hygiene student.
Dental discount plans are great for families or individuals looking to save 10% to 60% on the average cost of dental care. The program has dental plans nationwide with more than 100,000 dentists, see if you can save with a dentist near you.
You can easily finance your deep cleaning with an in-house or third-party dental payment plan. Many offices partner with patient platforms that offer 0% or low-interest financing for 6-12 months or longer. You can usually make smaller monthly installments on your deep cleaning and pay it off in full before any interest charges start.
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Rather than “bracing” for the expense of a large deep cleaning, SRP is truly like a deep dental cleaning. The biggest difference is that, typically, the hygienist will only tend to one quadrant, or half of your mouth, instead of all at once. This method provides more time to thoroughly clean hard-to-reach areas using specialized equipment.
It’s also possible to numb that area of your mouth with a local anesthetic so you don’t have to feel anything other than some pressure.
Not everyone wants to have their mouth numb, but it’s always an option. Some people prefer a short-term numbing gel or rinse to desensitize their teeth and gums. The advantage of using a local anesthetic is that your hygienist can clean one half of your mouth without numbness on the other side.
Your deep cleaning will most likely be split into at least two visits, with half of your mouth cleaned in one and the other half in the next.
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Most people with gum disease have sensitive teeth and gum tissues. Hence why deep cleanings are usually performed with a local anesthetic. But the sensitivity of the teeth should not be so much
