 | Cleaning: $75-$200 |
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 | With Exam, X-Rays: $100-$300+ |
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 | Deep Cleaning: $500-$4,000 |
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| The main goal of professional teeth cleaning is to prevent gum disease, which is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults over age 40. The National Institutes of Health provides an overview of gum disease prevention. | | |
| Typical costs: | - A standard teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist can cost $75 -$200, depending on the dentist's office and local rates. CostHelper readers report paying $80 -$175, or an average cost of $127 for just a routine cleaning.
- Frequently a teeth cleaning appointment will also include dental X-rays and an exam by the dentist. The total cost for an appointment with these additional services can be $100 -$300 or more, depending on local rates and the number and type of X-rays. For example, CostHelper readers report paying $114 -$320 for a complete teeth cleaning appointment, with an average cost of $198.
- Dental insurance typically covers 100% of the cost of a teeth cleaning once or twice a year as necessary preventive care, but not more often -- and some plans may have a maximum amount they will pay for a cleaning, which can be less than what the dentist charges. CostHelper readers with dental insurance report that their total cost was covered for cleanings once or twice a year, but not more frequently.
- The more extensive deep cleaning process called scaling and root planing is typically done by quadrants (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left). Costs start at about $100 -$450 for a single quadrant, but it can run $500 -$4,000 or more for a full-mouth deep cleaning, depending on the amount of work needed -- how deeply they have to clean; if antibiotic injections are used to speed healing in a particularly deep pocket around an individual tooth ($35 -$85 per injection/tooth); or for patients who have gone a long time between dental treatments , cutting away excess buildup so the gums are visible and can be evaluated and cleaned ($75 -$150, called full-mouth debridement). CostHelper readers without dental insurance report paying $390 -$3,800 for deep cleaning, for an average cost of $1,257.
- Dental insurance typically covers some of the cost of deep cleaning procedures, depending on the terms of the policy or plan. CostHelper readers with dental insurance coverage for deep cleaning report paying $360 -$437 out of pocket, with an average cost of $377.
What should be included: | - Teeth cleaning appointments for new patients typically also include an exam and X-rays, and periodically (perhaps once a year) include these services for returning patients. If a patient shows signs of early gum disease, the dentist may recommend teeth cleanings be done three or four times a year, instead of once or twice; the extra appointments generally won't be covered by insurance.
- In a standard cleaning, a dental hygienist (working under a dentist's supervision) removes soft plaque and hard tartar (mineralized plaque that builds up on the teeth and can only be removed with professional instruments) from above and below the gum line on all the teeth. The process usually takes about 30-60 minutes. A dental assistant explains what to expect during a teeth cleaning.
- Scaling and root planing is a deep-cleaning, non-surgical procedure generally done when the depths of the pockets around the teeth are deeper than 3 millimeters. Plaque and tartar above and below the gum line are scraped away (scaling) and rough spots on the root are smoothed (planing) to remove bacteria and give a clean surface for the gums to reattach to the teeth. This is done using a local anesthetic and generally requires two to four office visits, each lasting 45 minutes to an hour. The American Dental Association gives an overview of scaling and root planing.
Discounts: | - Some dentists offer discount coupons for new patients for a cleaning, exam and X-rays for $40 -$90. Always check an unfamiliar dentist with the American Dental Association, and the Better Business Bureau. Some CostHelper readers report feeling pressured to pay for additional services when using a coupon for a low-cost teeth cleaning.
- Dental schools typically have a clinic offering discounted rates for services by supervised students or faculty. The American Student Dental Association maintains a list of dental schools. CostHelper readers report paying $15 -$50 for a standard teeth cleaning, exam and X-rays at a dental hygienist school (with some noting that their appointment took four hours).
Shopping for teeth cleaning: | |
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated April 2012 |
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
Page 4 of 4 - << Previous 1 2 3 4
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| I am a hygienist |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: DE RDH in Milford, DE. | Posted: February 10th, 2012 05:02AM |
| Type: Cleaning/"Deep Cleaning" Xrays, Exam |
I have been a dental hygienist for 9 years and I am offended by many of the comments here. First off, in any field there will be people out there who "rip you off", but there will also be honest professionals who are trying to help YOU. To the woman who said, "shame on the dental professionals"...shame on YOU. The facts are the facts, and i'm sorry, but it doesn't matter how old a person is, it's our duty to be honest with patients about the state of their dental health, the cost, and the consequences if not fixed. Then it is YOUR choice as to what you decide to do. YOU are NOT buying the dental hygienist, or the dentist for that matter, a "new car." The dentists spent years in school studying for their careers and are in THOUSANDS of dollars in debt because of it. If it weren't for that, there would be NO dentists to take care of you. And it's ALL medical fields! Do you have any idea how much it costs just to own a practice? The overhead, let alone the cost of ALL medical equipment, including DENTAL. The fees that we charge barely cover the cost of just being there for you, and quite honestly, anything left over that the doctors or hygienists actually earn is well-deserved! They studied to get where they are to take care of YOU. Also, dental care isn't just for the rich, there are many clinics and dental/hygiene schools around where you can have great work done, so instead of complaining, why don't you find one of those?? It seems as though some of you WANT to be lied to, because i will tell you, although some of the prices i've heard on here are a bit high, the majority of them are within normal range, AND periodontal disease is REAL, and requires more work, and more money to manage than a "routine cleaning." I am a very honest person, and I would never tell a patient that he or she needed work or a "deep cleaning" unless he/she truly needed it. Please get your facts straight. |
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| Free Cleaning - LIES! |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: EZ in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. | Posted: February 21st, 2012 05:02PM |
I have an HMO dental plan. It includes 2 free cleanings a year. BUT every dentist I have been to refuses to do a FREE cleaning. One idiot dentist told me it was ILLEGAL to do a free cleaning because I needed more. First, I have my teeth cleaned every 6 months - no problems - suddenly with the HMO they have invented problems. They have found a way to make more money. |
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| I am also a hygienist |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: Greathygienist in Rockland County, NY. | Posted: March 25th, 2012 03:03PM |
| Type: Dental cleaning |
It is amazing to me how uneducated the American public is about the health of their teeth. When I do a thorough cleaning on a new patient so many times they are amazed by the cleaning. So many people have only had their teeth polished or cleaned so quickly it's pointless in even going. I have worked for dentist that don't care if the hygienist is doing a bad job as long as it's quick and they can get the patients in and out fast. Time is money. If you haven't had a cleaning in several years there's a good chance that you need a deeper cleaning. If you just want the dentist and hygienist to lie to you and tell you you're fine then go somewhere else. It is a science , they can't just make something up that doesn't exist. If you think you're getting ripped off ask for proof before the cleaning. I always explain to me patients the need for the deep cleaning. I show them the pockets in their mouth with a mirror and show them the tartar (calculus). I have a crappy, backbreaking job that not many people want to do and I do it well. I do make a decent wage for it but if you think it's so easy go to school for it and do it yourself.Please educate yorself about your own mouth everybodies mouths are different, ask questions if you dont understand and also be very, very wary of too quick, too painless cleanings |
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| Dental wheeler dealers |
| Amount: $440.00 |
| Posted by: back up in Denver, CO. | Posted: April 25th, 2012 05:04PM |
| Type: 1/4 of teeth deep clean/ reg clean |
Hadn't seen a dentist for almost 2 years due to recession. So I went in for the advertised $39 cleaning. My gum pockets were 2,3 4 and one was 5. Dentist explained I needed deep cleaning and said it would cost $1,191.00 IF I bought the discount plan for $96.00. I said that's not going to happen. I asked if 1/4 of my teeth could be done becasue one part of my mouth was worse than other. He agreed. 1/4 of my teeth (lower right) were deep cleaned and the rest were given a regular cleaning (only above the gum line). For this I was charged $344.00 plus the $96 for the dental club discount program. Then I asked about getting the rest done. Since my income is sporadic, I suggested I get one other part done next time. I was then told that it wasn't legal for them to do that. Legal? Well not according to the policies of their office, actually. I asked if the dental club was affiliated with them, one person said yes (hesitantly) and the other person said no (?) I left with a quote to finish the job for $540.00 more. So the full deep cleaning will end up costing $980. I guess it's in line with the prices others are talking about but they go through all kinds of contortions in the pricing structure to arrive there. |
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| General Cleaning |
| Amount: $265.00 |
| Posted by: Over Paid? in Houston, TX. | Posted: May 11th, 2012 01:05PM |
| Type: Teeth Cleaning |
Routine quarterly teeth cleaning |
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| Posted by: a user in HB, CA. | Posted: May 24th, 2012 02:05PM |
| Type: debridement |
My wife goes in for a check up and x-rays and they tell her she needs debridement. The insurance cost is 15.00, but then they add on irrigation ( fancy word for oral rinse) and they want 90 bucks. Next they want to do root plane which the cost is 30 per quadrant, but will end up costing 105 per quadrant. If this isn't robbery ,what is ? |
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| Extra charges not covered by insurance |
| Amount: $190.00 |
| Posted by: esd in Lakeland, FL. | Posted: June 21st, 2012 02:06PM |
| Type: periodontal scaling and root planing |
My insurance covers 80% of periodontal scaling and root planing. My dental provider charged me an extra $104 for desensitizing agent, antibacterial irragation, and local anestetic which were not covered by insurance. I would think that these items would be included with the cleaning. They also charged $5 for running there autoclave. |
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| 2 Visits to clean teeth? |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: Wensilvernell in Tallahassee, FL. | Posted: August 13th, 2012 05:08PM |
I've had an exceptional amount of dental work done in my 37 years. My new dentist (I moved and now have an HMO) does their cleanings in 2 visits. First visit is JUST for Xrays. Then ANOTHER month later you come back for the Type of cleaning they feel you need (Deep Cleaning I Guess)? I've never experienced this type of 2 visit cleaning and plan on asking how they intend on billing these visits. Does this sound normal to anyone? |
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| Dental Cleaning in MS |
| Amount: $130.00 |
| Posted by: dentalqueen in Gautier, MS. | Posted: September 6th, 2012 06:09PM |
| Type: NP Exam, bwx, prophy |
Exam- new patient $45rnCleaning $50rnBitewings-4- $35rnFMX - $82rnThis was the adult pricing child pricing is below-rnExam $45rnCleaning- $28rnBitewings- 2 $20rnFluoride- $7rnScaling and Root Planing- $145-$175/ quadrantrnFull Mouth Debridment $109rnI SAW WHERE SOMEONE WAS CHARGED FOR PERIDEX IRRIGATION THAT WAS SUCH A RIP OFF- I DO THAT FOR FREE!!! I AM SORRY. |
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| Medicaid sucks and so did the doctor I went to |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: record geek 101 in Amarillo, TX. | Posted: October 3rd, 2012 08:10PM |
| Type: Basic exam cleaning and xrays |
Well my medicaid paid for all of it but they didnt clean my teeth i waited for 3 hours the doctor barely spoke english and basically all they did was tell me i need a very deep cleaning that costs alot of money that i dont have and medicaid will only pay for preventative care not for anything else what a crock of shit Obama sucks |
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| prophy root plan |
| Amount: $195.00 |
| Posted by: dental cost in houston, TX. | Posted: October 16th, 2012 07:10PM |
If you guys think the hygienist is making the money you are wrong. For an 800. dollar root plane and full set of xray at 95 dollars that takes an hour I get 35 dollars of that. So if you patients think you are getting ripped off you are getting a good service that you probably need. The hygienist gets a hurting hand and neck and just enough money to make it to work the next day to do it again. Most of the money goes to the dentist that doesn't even come in the room half of the time except to make sure we charged for everything he coud think of. |
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| Quarterly Teeth Cleaning |
| Amount: $95.00 |
| Posted by: Elizabeth Patt in Pittsburgh, PA. | Posted: October 22nd, 2012 11:10AM |
| Type: Tooth/Gum Cleaning |
I go to a reputable dentist with a professional office/staff. Same hygenist for past 5+ years and occasionally a sub if she is out. The cleaning was very thorough as usual. Since I currently do not have dental insurance and go every four months, I opted to not have dentist exam or x-rays. I thought $95 was high, but maybe not - you get what you pay for (usually). |
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| Deep Cleaning |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: a user in Anaheim, CA. | Posted: October 23rd, 2012 03:10PM |
I don't have insurance. Where can I go that's reliable and reasonable in cost? |
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| Routine Cleaning - 2 Children ages 6 & 3 |
| Amount: $360.00 |
| Posted by: Denis Cassidy in Waterbury, CT. | Posted: October 24th, 2012 11:10AM |
| Type: Prophlaxis & Comp Exam |
I visited this site because I wanted to know if the amount I was billed seemed high for a routine cleaning. My girls were in the office for about 10 minutes each, max. After reading through some of the posts I have to say that the professionals in the health care field have a point when they talk about how long it takes and how much it costs to become a licensed practitioner as well as what is involved with running your own business. I am an Architect, with 20+ years of experience and have run my own business for more than a decade so I completely understand this point of view. HOWEVER, unlike medical practitioners, my clients do not come to me because they need me to survive. My field is considered a luxury for most people and a necessity for only a select few. I do not have clients because they need building checkups or because of conditions brought on by injuries, although building age can have an effect on my customer base. In my opinion, charging what amounts to more than $1,000 an hour to clean teeth is outrageous! Lawyers, health professionals, big business Chiefs, financial gurus of some sort or another, elite athletes and celebrities charge these rates. Of these, only health professionals have a moral obligation. They take an oath to that effect. The necessity for their services is manifest in being human. Lawyers are needed because of lawyers. If there were none, we wouldn't need any. Athletes and entertainers are compensated by masses, at the masses’ discretion. Financial gurus are compensated because they get to hold the money and take ridiculous amounts for doing so (shame on them). But Health professionals are taught and held accountable for their responsibility to the welfare of their patients. Their responsibility should include not taking advantage because they feel they deserve to drive nice cars and live in big houses. If farmers did the same, there would be a lot more skinny people. Just my opinion. |
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| Am I entitled to all the digital xray files I pay the dentist to take? |
| Amount: $744.00 |
| Posted by: buy groceries or get dental work in Gorham, NH. | Posted: October 28th, 2012 06:10PM |
| Type: Cleaning, Xrays, Deep, minor scalling |
I certainly feel being charged 644 dollars for an hour of service for scaling of a couple of teeth seems rather high. Feeding my family or heating my house might make better sense. Not being told a price and then presented with a bill that amounts to a week of hard labor for one hour of sitting in a chair makes me wonder. Can I take my x rays and get a second opinion or do I just smile and thanks them with blind faith. Also listening to a sales pitch for their sonic care brush that they sell at twice the retail price while being strapped to a chair with probes in my mouth seems like unfair marketing. |
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| Would you give me a discount? |
| Amount: $95.00 |
| Posted by: no teeth in plymouth, MA. | Posted: November 19th, 2012 04:11PM |
I am over 65, and have had problems with my teeth m whole life. If there is a dental procedure, I've had it. Quarterly cleaning, deep scaling, and on and on. Right now, I have only FOUR teeth left. I was charged for a full adult cleaning, that took about 10 minutes. rnIn the past, I was only charged for children's cleaning. Love thei dentist, but not crazy about the hygenist or the front office staff. |
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| Posted by: Magic18 in Rochester, NY. | Posted: December 4th, 2012 12:12AM |
If you want to get great dentist care without the high cost go to another country South America is great they have all of the same technology now a days and sometimes the dentist's are much better as they pay attention to each patient if you are paying cash, American dentist charge on an average 5 times as much and are not any better it is crazy what they charge here I make a trip every couple of years depending on my situation with my teeth |
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| Ask who is doing the cleaning! |
| Amount: $300.00 |
| Posted by: Maya in chicago, IL. | Posted: December 10th, 2012 10:12PM |
I'm a dental hygienist and we charge $300 for cleaning and an exam. I do think it's a little too high, in my area you can get a cleaning anywhere from 120-300, which includes the exam. However, my point is not the price, is who is doing the cleaning! Make sure you ask the person that will be working on you who, she or he really is. MANY offices have their dental assistants polish kids teeth, which is not considered a cleaning. Soooo many times I have seen children after they were getting those "professional teeth cleaning" by the assistant, and they had tons of calculus under their gums, with swollen inflamed, bleeding tissue around! Be aware, especially with children, since a lot of offices tend to let their assistants just polish, which doesn;t do much at all but they still charge you regular price. Assistants are not allowed to clean (they are allowed to polish teeth if they are certified, but polishing alone is not a complete cleaning) |
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| DEEP Cleaning |
| Amount: $1,287.00 |
| Posted by: Cigar Lover in Houston, TX. | Posted: December 27th, 2012 09:12AM |
| Type: Scaling & Root Planing |
After about 15 years since last visit which was 35 years from previous because of a 25 year abscess I had a chunk of TARTAR fall off tooth and it felt like I was missing part of a tooth. My gums were attached to tartar which I had not been aware about and there was a severe ledge if you will overhang to my gums, which fell back and then came up over the course of a week. Longs tory short - I discovered I needed cleaning among other things... the chunk that came out was almost the size of a tooth to give you indication of the severity. It was concentrated on one area in front of mouth where I smoke and chew cigars - the upper was relatively non existent compared to bottom and the center teeth about 10 times worst than the side so essentially 5 teeth in front were cemented together. |
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| routine cleaning |
| Amount: $99.00 |
| Posted by: nice teeth in glendale, CA. | Posted: January 24th, 2013 09:01AM |
I had my upper quandrants done yesterday, which took less than 30 minutes. they said that the paperworks and the x-ray had took all the appoinment time so they asked me to get the lower quandrants done during the next visit. I never thought about how much they would charge and finally found out on the planning sheet, they wanted to charge twice just for one service. Is it normal to do that? teeth cleaning is $99, $145 for x-ray, $75 new checking. |
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| Pregnant and trying to get a checkup |
| Amount: $80.00 |
| Posted by: Liz10 in Valdez, AK. | Posted: January 30th, 2013 02:01PM |
| Type: Exam |
I live in Valdez Alaska and since I'm unmarried I qualify for Denali Kid Care which will usually cover the cost of an exam, cleaning and a few other procedures. Yet the only dentist in town does not accept Denali Kid Care for pregnant women so I had to pay out of pocket. I already had x-rays earlier in the year ($60 for a full set and a brief exam) so when I called to make an appointment paying out of pocket I was told it will be $80 for the exam, and I can make an appointment for a cleaning in August (3 months after I have my baby) which will cost about $105, and a deep cleaning will cost about $200. I'm pretty sure I have advanced periodontist issues so I'm going to need a root scaling and planing eventually. My teeth only seem to have issues when I'm pregnant! |
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| "deep cleaning" |
| Amount: $1,382.00 |
| Posted by: NOT A HAPPY CAMPER in dallas, TX. | Posted: January 31st, 2013 09:01AM |
| Type: deep cleaning |
i went into the dentist office great staff great place, but i was told i needed a "deep cleaining" i got on here to see what that ment well it looks like it takes longer than 5 mins, cuz thats how long the lady took doing my "deep cleaning" and they billed my insurance company 1382 which was my 1000 max so now i can't get filling or crowns that i need. i felt like i was ripped off and my teeth still have tons of plague and build up. no a happy camper at all |
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| Routine cleaning, exam and 2 film bitewings |
| Amount: $195.00 |
| Posted by: Lindsey Lee in York, ME. | Posted: February 22nd, 2013 06:02PM |
| Type: Routine cleaning, exam and 2 bitewings |
Adult cleaning $98rnDental exam $48rnBitewings (2 films) $49rnrnDid I get overcharged? |
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| Teeth Cleaning, and bite wings. |
| Amount: $420.00 |
| Posted by: Izzy in Seattle, WA. | Posted: March 2nd, 2013 12:03AM |
| Type: Periodontal |
I just got a teeth cleaning for the first time in year, and although my insurance said they cover the cleanings, they would only cover 196. of the over $400 charges because they claimed they were too high. Not so great really. |
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| Dental Implants and Scaling |
| Amount: $8,000.00 |
| Posted by: J Speakman in Hernando Beach, FL. | Posted: March 12th, 2013 03:03PM |
| Type: Implants for 2 Teeth |
For all the dentists and their assistants out there we are not trying to insult you, we are trying to figure out a way to pay for keeping our teeth healthy with the right Dentist. First of all have you ever tried to shop around for a dentist? It costs more to go in for a second opinion and get an appointment, and in some cases depending on the insurance company as in our case, you need to let them know you are changing to another dentist. That has to be done at the first of the next month. $8000.00 for two dental implants seems ridiculous to me. And now the same periodontist wants to charge me $4000.00 for a deep cleaning, all four quadrants. That includes some surgery on the gums and "biologic materials" (bone, I think). And that price is with a 25% discount, what my insurance pays for a specialist (periodontist) Then of course you have to go back and forth between dentists because some general dentists do not perform some of the procedures a perio does and vice-versa. I know I have asked. So it might be just a little daunting for the average patron to swing this. We are now looking into calling a perio about 45 minutes from our home, but he came recommended from a friend of a friends dentist's husbands. So we'll see if we can get in. So any comments?? |
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| Didn't know about fluoride treatments and x-rays for my kids |
| Amount: $0.00 |
| Posted by: Disheartened in Blossburg, PA. | Posted: March 12th, 2013 03:03PM |
| Type: checkup |
I just took all four of my kids to the dentist for the first time since my husband found a job and we have insurance. Before that, we had medicaid. I was the stupid one who didn't inquire into what they were including in the exams; after all, medicaid patients don't think too much, right? The truth is, I was too affected by our whole situation to think straight. My husband a scientist out of work, how will they treat me in this office, etc. It was just a dark time. Anyway, I just got our first bill as "private insurance" patients, and am appalled to find that I paid $27 per child for a fluoride treatment, and out the ears for x-rays (kids just had them 6 mos. ago). I take the blame for not thinking to ask what would be included. Had I known, I would have refused fluoride and x-rays just to keep my costs low (I'm not sure which items the insurance will cover; I was told not x-rays). This isn't about fluoride; it's about a bill I can't afford to pay. Can anyone please graciously advise? |
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| Rediculous Charges |
| Amount: $850.00 |
| Posted by: zuzu in Vancouver, WA. | Posted: March 21st, 2013 08:03PM |
| Type: exam and deep cleaning |
I have had deep cleaning in the past and it never cost this much. Americans are greedy a** holes who think money is everything. Sure do hope she enjoys her new caddy that I paid for. I guess the only people who should live on the earth are the special people who love only money and won't do a thing without gobs of it coming out of their ears. |
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| No Regular Cleanings |
| Amount: $146.00 |
| Posted by: Gina2 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. | Posted: April 4th, 2013 04:04AM |
| Type: Regular dental cleanings |
I want to confirm what another posting observed on 2/21/12. My dental plan with HumanaOne includes to free cleanings and I paid $146 for the year, but I have been to four different dental offices looking for a regular cleaning and the dentists refuse to provide a regular cleaning. It is unbelievable. Instead they want you to have deep cleanings with the additional cost, hundreds of dollars more. |
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| Deep Cleaning |
| Amount: $600.00 |
| Posted by: larvac in Oak Forest, IL. | Posted: April 10th, 2013 09:04PM |
| Type: no insurance |
The new perio doctor that did my deep cleaning spent 25min and the last time i had this done it took almost a hour well so much for going to the same office ive been going to for the last 20 years , all he did was look at the clock and the buzzer that tells him that his next paitent is here. did this on 4/10/13 im going back tomarrow and find out what the rush was all about. |
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| Posted by: Molly Marionet in Spokane, WA. | Posted: May 9th, 2013 07:05PM |
| Type: basic every 6 months |
I hadn't been to the dentist in about 4 years, I now get a basic cleaning every 6 months. Its not that expensive compared to what some of you are paying. |
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