Teeth Cleaning Cost

• 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. For example, Delta Dental of Massachusetts offers a plan that pays 80% of the cost of scaling and root planing by an in-network dentist, once every two years. CostHelper readers with dental insurance coverage for deep cleaning report paying $360 -$437 out of pocket, with an average cost of $377.

• 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.

• 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, the Better Business Bureau and consumer reviews on sites like Yelp. 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. 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).

• WedMD lists factors to consider when choosing a dentist.
• If the patient has dental insurance, the insurance company will provide a list of approved dentists. Or, get referrals to local dentists from the American Dental Association or the Amcerican Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

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