How Much Does Scale & Root Planing Cost?

On average, a regular cleaning will cost between $80 to $120, whereas a scaling and root planing procedure cary north carolina can cost anywhere from $180 to $300 for each quadrant of your mouth (of which there are four). There are a range of factors that can affect the overall cost of having a scaling and root planing procedure, such as whether or not you are having active periodontal therapy, periodontal maintenance costs performed following active therapy, technology used for your procedure, the number of professionals involved in your treatment plan, your dental insurance plan, where you are located geographically, the severity of your case, and whether or not any additional procedures will need to be performed in conjunction with your scaling and root planing procedure

If you have advanced gum disease, your dentist may recommend you be treated by a periodontist. Although a periodontist may charge more to perform this procedure, it is important to remember that this is their area of expertise, and you will be given the best care possible. Regardless of who performs the scaling and root planing procedure, it is important to contact your insurance provider and talk with your dentist or periodontist so you are aware of what sort of costs to expect.

Costs Associated with Dental Deep Cleaning

Scaling and root planing, as is the case with most dental procedures, has added costs associated with it that are important to be aware of. For example, most patients will be recommended a scaling and root planing procedure following a visit to the dentist for a standard cleaning. This visit alone typically  costs between $50 and $200. If X-rays are required to determine your best treatment plan, this may cost an additional $25-$250. If your dentist also determines that a full-mouth debridement is necessary, another $75 to $150 will increase the overall cost of treatment. You will also need to factor in the cost of managing pain for this procedure. A local anesthetic can increase the cost of treatment by approximately $300, and if antibiotic injections are necessary to facilitate the healing process, that can cost an additional $30 to $90 per tooth.

Understanding Your Dental Insurance

There are a variety of dental insurance plans that vary in what and how much they cover, but many dental insurance plans will cover 50% or more of the scaling and root planing procedure. Although this can significantly reduce your personal costs, it is important to be aware that most dental plans also have yearly maximums. If you have already exceeded your maximum, you will end up having to pay more than what would normally be covered. If you are concerned about exceeding your maximum, and if the timing works, you may be able to split the scaling and root planing procedure into two appointments, one close to the year’s end and one at the beginning of the following year. As such, patients who require a scaling and root planing for all four quadrants may schedule two quadrants for December and two quadrants for January in order to maximize their benefits and reduce personal costs.

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