Teeth Cleaning Cost - Buyer Experiences and Price Information

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

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.

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?

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.

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 ?

Routine quarterly teeth cleaning

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.

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

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.

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.

Went in for routine exam, x-rays, cleaning - completely covered by insurance, but was told I needed a deep cleaning. Cost was about $1300-1400 for full mouth, after insurance my portion was $319. Looking at other posts, this seems like a normal price

Took my 15 year old son to get his teeth cleaned. By the time they were done with cleaning, exam and x-rays it cost me $320. Then they found a "small" cavity and that cost me another $300 to fill. And then they wonder why I haven't had MY teeth cleaned in 4 years?

I think this is entirely too much for a routine cleaning. My dental insurance was used up earlier in the year when the periodontist did minor gum surgery for $3900.00. This had to come out of my pocket. For some reason, the periodontist and dentist have me alternating between the two of them for cleanings every three months. Seems rather odd and I plan to investiage.

Go to IUSB wonderful program. I do not not have dental insurance. I want my kids to have nice teeth and you can afford to go there. Wonderful students and good pricing.

I went to the dentist for a routine visit consisting of cleaning, x-rays, and exam. I was there less than 30 minutes. It was not the most thorough cleaning. I opted out of the panoramic x-rays which would have increased the total cost to $355.00.

will a double cap save the pocket between my teeth?

I had a dental cleaning $175 (no insurance) and then a dental exam with 4 x-rays that in all totaled $263 after a 5% discount for paying upfront. The dental hygentist thought I had a tooth problem so thus the x-rays and the dental exam followed after the cleaning. I'm not complaining here, just advising everyone to keep your teeth as long as possible and spend the money needed to keep yourself healthy. I do think it's sad that people can fly to foreign countries and get their dental work done for a fraction of the cost here in America. Dental work has gotten unbeleivably expensive and I understand why the need exists to seek out dentistry in other countries with doctors no less who were trained here in America.

I believe American doctors/dentists take patients for granted. They think that the services they provide are the best in the world but rest all places provide similar or better facilities for way lesser prices. God bless America! and its patients. PS for patients: If you get a chance, please visit a country like India, Singapore, Philippines and other places where you get the best doctors at relatively throwaway prices.

Have been having my teeth cleaned for a several years on a rotating basis (every 3 months) by both my dentist and by the periodontist he recommended, due to recurrent periodontal problems. (The periodontist is supposed to be doing a deeper cleaning than the normal one done at the dental office, but there doesn't seem to be a significant difference in my opinion.) For whatever reason, they won't prescribe antibiotics to clear gum infections. Anyway, cleanings run me an average of $120 per visit, and most insurance companies cover just 2 cleanings per year. So I dropped my dental insurance because the cost of premiums plus deductibles plus very limited coverage did not make it cost-effective. I had a deep cleaning several years ago and it ran about $1500, most of it covered by the dental insurance I had with my employer. Am now retired, income halved, need upper and lower bridgework ASAP. Quoted $2400. Scary. Unable to afford implants recommended by periodontist. Suggestions???

Without insurance I paid $900 for deep cleaning after being told I would loose my teeth if I didn't have the procedure. Well, now it is six months later and I have such awful toothaches from where the roots have been exposed that it is going to cost a fortune to do root canals.
I have always taken care of my teeth and only had 2 cavities which the dentist filled.
I feel like I was scammed by the deep cleaning which has caused more serious problems. I recommend getting at least one other opinion and perhaps two before letting anyone deep clean your teeth. After searching the net I have discovered that I am not the only one who feels his way.

Went to new detal service and had exam xrays.. was told possible Rooy canal to go get evaluation.. something came up and was unable to get evaluation.. called new dentis for regular cleaning.. when I got there and Hyginst was thus I found I had a deep cleaning not fully coverd under plan I had.. I have also heard tha deep cleang should be preped with antibiotics? anywone know.. andya needless to say i shall not return to this Dental office..

I BELONG TO A CLINIC THAT FOR LOWER INCOMES OFFERS A 50% DISCOUNT ON THEIR DENTAL SERVICES. I HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME TOOTH PAIN IN A TOOTH THAT WAS FILLED 30 YEARS AGO. I WENT IN I AM NOT SURE WHAT ALL THEY XRAYED I KNOW IT WAS A FULL SET AND WAS EXTREMELY SHOCKED WHEN THEY TOLD ME 74 DOLLARS. THE CLEANING WILL BE ANOTHER 26 WHICH I FEEL IS A PRETTY GOOD PRICE. THE XRAYS I THOUGHT WERE EXTREME PRICING BUT AFTER RESEARCH I FIND THAT ITS ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD. SO I HAVE NO NEED TO BE UPSET. GREAT WEBSITE AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

the most p*ss poor professionalism i've ever experienced, after the cleaning he step's in the room takes a gander into my newly cleansed mouth, and spews out a few numbers, starting from $5,000, and progressing to $10,000 and from there for no reason at all shoots out $20,000 for the work that he wants to do....excluding pulling the 4 wisdom teeth that are currently driving me apesh*t crazy.
And to boot! He informed me that the work in question probably wouldnt last, or be the least bit successful, so..i'm faced with a choice, pay what would be atleast a year's worth of college for something that has no justification and wont alleviate my immediate pain...ooooorrr shop around and maybe ask my neighbor(another certified dentist whom i've known for years) to lend a helping hand..

Had ex-rays done and while the technician was doing them I realized that she was taking many more pictures that I usually remembered. I mentioned it to her and she said she was doing a full mouth ex-ray. I learned what this meant when the told me the bill upon leaving the office. With cleaning and full ex-rays it came to $250.00.
Shouldn't a dentis or technician for that matter TELL you of a new of different procedure that will be more costly then your customary fees.
The $250 bill was a shock as I am retired and on a fixed income. I was very unhappy about this.
In the future I am going to tell them to tell me exactly what they are preparing to do, and, if I cannot afford it I am not going to let them do it. I will find another Dentist or find an alternate solution to be problem.

My husband hadn't been to a dentist in years and needed dental work prior to having heart surgery. We were told $150. for new patient exam and x-rays and $86 for hygienist. Once there, he was told he needed full mouth debrisment for $175. and go back for polishing. Got a bill for $86. for 2nd visit. We thought the $175 was high for cleaning when told $86 for new patient cleaning. $86 for a 15 minute polish job seems exorbitant. Doesn't the dental profession know how bad the economy is? People can't afford health care or dental health care. Do they feel they are exempt from feeling the crunch like everyone else is? My husband, age 71, was told it would cost $20,000 plus to get his mouth in perfect shape. He can't afford to buy the hygienist a new car; he doesn't expect to live more than 5-10 years. People need to go to the dentist, not the cleaners! Shame on the dental professionals!

I no longer have dental insurance so I have dreaded going back to see the dentist. I called the office and found out the cost of services ahead of time and was informed that the cost is the same if you have insurance or if you pay out of pocket.
Break down of Cost:
Full mouth xrays* (16 digital films) $143
*patient has the right to refuse xrays
Exam, Prophy (cleaning) and Probing $136
Total visit took about an hour. I feel the money spent was justified. I have had cleanings that felt rushed and this time it was very thorough and I was pleased with the outcome

I haven't been to the dentist in about 10 years and I had 4mm pockets on all 4 quadrants. With Liberty Dental Insurance I paid $60 for scaling and rooting per quadrant and $75 peridex/irrigation for each quadrant, so with insurance I paid about $540. I don't know if I was ripped off with the peridex, but the dentist highly recommended that I got peridex, which they put on with a syringe. I didn't get any numbing shots (don't know if that would have made it more expensive) and it didn't hurt much.

My mother is 70 years old and visited her dentist for partial dentures (upper/lower). She had to first get two (2) crowns replaced and teeth cleaned. The dental hygenist and dentist recommended the deep cleaning for her receding gum lines and to remove build up in effort to improve on the conditions of her remaining teeth and longevity of the partial dentures. It was scheudled for one day appt. Reading the blogs, I am wondering if this should have been scheudled as two (2) appts. She does not have dental insurance. Dentist only offered 5% discount for full pay at $707.50.

My mother suggested I go to her dentist and was told I needed to have one of my teeth refilled and to have my gums cleaned because they were so bad, I was told with my insurance (Met Life) that it would be 8-9 hundred! I thought that was high so I went 4 weeks later (yesterday 1/4/11) to my husbands dentist who said that instead it was my wisdom tooth that needed to be refilled but it would be cheaper to just pull it and that I needed my gums to be cleaned badly. When he came back and told me it was going to cost $100 for EVERYTHING I was shocked! It took about an hour for the gum cleaning and my entire mouth had to be numbed since I was in so much pain, after it took him about 30 seconds to pull my wisdom tooth. I also found out the previous dentist charged my insurance for a deep cleaning. If you live in Southern California, visit Dr. Tudosi in La Verne, best dentist ever!

I was informed about a School for Dental Hygientist. It was a very through,informative and gentle procedure done by a student. Her teacher double checked everything and a dentist consult was also performed. One does need to be patient as everything did take 4 hours. The price was terrific! I just had another cleaning at the dentist office and it was $85, but only took an hour as x-rays and exam had been done previously. I plan to go to the school next time.