Breaking Down Dental Cleaning Cost at Gentle Family Dentistry
While dental cleanings are essential for your oral health, our Bakersfield dentist understands that cost can deter patients from seeking treatment. Fortunately, dental cleanings are covered by most insurance plans. Our Bakersfield dentist breaks down the costs of dental cleanings and the resources you need to receive essential dental care and maintain good oral health.
If you’re looking for a new dentist in Bakersfield, CA, call our dental practice today to schedule your routine professional cleaning at 661-664-9900.
How Much Do Dental Cleanings Cost?
The average cost of a dental cleaning in the United States ranges from $75 to $200 per session. However, teeth cleaning costs can go up if additional treatments are required. For example, scaling and root planing can cost up to $400 per deep cleaning session. Your total cost will also be dependent upon certain factors, such as location, your dentist’s experience, and more.
In California, the average dental cleaning costs around $150 before insurance coverage.
Factors That Influence Teeth Cleaning Costs
Every patient is different, and several factors can influence the average cost of your dental cleaning. These factors may include:
- Location: The costs vary depending on the location of the dental office. Dental offices located in urban areas tend to charge more than those in rural areas.
- Type of Cleaning: The cost also depends on the type of cleaning required. Routine cleaning typically costs less than periodontal maintenance or a deep teeth cleaning.
- Dental Insurance: Dental insurance coverage can significantly reduce the cost of routine dental cleaning. The amount of coverage varies depending on the type of insurance plan.
- Additional Treatments: If additional treatments are required, such as applying fluoride or dental X-rays, the cost of a dental cleaning appointment can increase.
- The Experience and Training of the Dentist: More experienced dentists typically charge more than less experienced dentists.
Additional Costs
Additional costs can accumulate during a professional teeth cleaning and may include out-of-pocket costs. Some of these costs that may arise include:
- Dental X-rays: If X-rays are needed during a dental cleaning, there may be an additional fee. The cost of X-rays can vary depending on the number of images needed.
- Fluoride treatment: Fluoride treatments are optional, but they can help protect against tooth decay. If a patient chooses to have fluoride treatment during their dental cleaning, there may be added costs.
- Deep cleaning: If a patient has a significant amount of tartar buildup or gum disease, they may require a deep cleaning procedure, also known as scaling and root planing. Deep cleanings are more extensive than routine cleanings and will cost more.
- Dental sealants: Dental sealants are a protective coating applied to the teeth to prevent decay. If a patient chooses to have dental sealants applied during their routine dental cleaning, there may be an additional cost.
Many dental offices will provide an estimate of the total cost of your teeth cleaning and any additional treatments before the appointment. Patients should also always check with their insurance provider to see if additional dental services and treatments are covered under their insurance plan.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance can help you pay for the cost of cleanings, as well as other dental procedures. Your specific coverage for dental cleanings will vary depending on your insurance plan, but most plans will cover cleanings twice a year.
- Preventive care: Most dental insurance plans will cover preventive care at 100%, meaning you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket. This typically includes dental cleanings, exams, and X-rays.
- Basic procedures: Basic procedures, such as dental fillings and extractions, are typically covered at 80%. This means you will have to pay 20% of the cost out of pocket.
- Major procedures: Major procedures, such as crowns and root canals, are typically covered at 50%. This means you’ll have to pay 50% of the cost out of pocket.
Financing Options
If you’re without dental coverage and looking for alternatives, you may consider financing options:
- Dental credit cards: There are several dental credit cards available that offer financing options for dental procedures, including dental cleanings. These cards typically offer 0% interest for a certain period, such as 6 or 12 months, on purchases made over a certain amount.
- In-house dental financing: Some dentists offer in-house financing options for their patients. This can be a good option if you have bad credit or do not qualify for a dental credit card.
- CareCredit: CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that can be used to finance dental cleanings and other medical procedures. CareCredit offers 0% interest for 6, 12, 18, or 24 months on purchases of $200 or more when you make the minimum monthly payments and pay the full amount due by the end of the promotional period.
Frequently Asked Questions
It may be cheaper to pay out of pocket for a typical dental cleaning if you don’t have dental insurance. However, if you do have dental insurance, it’s usually more cost-effective to use your insurance benefits.
Deep cleanings are more expensive because, during the procedure, your mouth is divided into four quadrants, with dental technicians focusing on cleaning only one or two quadrants during each visit. Given the thorough nature of the deep cleaning process, each visit may extend to an hour or even longer.
Invest in Your Smile by Visiting the Dentist Regularly
Don’t let the cost of teeth cleaning prevent you from maintaining good oral health. Contact our Bakersfield dental office today to discuss fees and potential financing options for routine cleanings. Routine dental cleanings are an investment in your oral health that can save you from costly dental procedures down the line.
Don’t wait, schedule your dental cleaning today by calling 661-664-9900.