The Costs of Dental Scaling and Root Planing

If your dentist has recommended a scaling and root planing dumfries va treatment for you, you may be wondering what to except the procedure to cost. Dental scaling is a non-surgical procedure where the teeth are cleaned on the surface and below the gumline. Although the scaling procedure is fairly common, it is not a part of a routine dental cleaning and therefore the treatment is an additional cost. Below is more detailed information to help you plan for the estimated costs of the dental scaling and root planing procedure, and some tips on how to cover these expected costs.

Expected Costs of Scaling and Root Planing

The scaling and root planing procedure plays an important role in fighting gum disease. The cost of the procedure varies widely and is based on the extent of the cleaning needed. On average, you can expect the procedure to cost between $400-$4,000 in total. There are many factors that determine the cost, including:

  • How experienced the dentist is
  • How badly the plaque and bacteria buildup is along the gumline
  • Additional costs or treatments tied to the procedure
  • If both scaling and root planing are needed. Dental scaling is when the buildup of plaque is removed from below the gumline of the tooth. Root planing is the additional smoothing of the root below the gumline to help aid in the gums reattaching to the teeth.

General dentists can perform both the scaling and root planing parts of the procedure. Some dentists may recommend their patients see a periodontist if their teeth are in need of more work. If your dentist recommends a periodontist, it is worthwhile to ask why. A periodontist may charge 20-30% more than a general dentist. Prior to scheduling the procedure, it is important to have a discussion with your dentist about their treatment plan and the costs associated with this plan.

Tips to Cover the Cost of a Scaling and Planing Treatment

While the scaling and planing treatment can be expensive, there are ways to make the procedure more affordable or feasible for you. Here are some ideas:

  • Dental insurance: Dental insurance is a good place to start to cover your scaling and planing costs. Often, dental insurance will cover 50% or more of the treatment procedure because it is important to prevent gum disease. However, you should be prepared for your plan to only cover some of the treatment costs. You should be prepared with alternative payment options.
  • Dental discount plan: Another option to cover the cost of the scaling and planing treatment is a dental discount plan. Discount plans can help to save money on any dental procedure and may help you save up to 60% on your scaling and root planing procedure.
  • Dental payment plans: Your dentist may offer a dental payment plan to help with the additional costs not covered by insurance.
  • Dental schools: If you have a good dental school near you, it may be worthwhile to see if they will perform the scaling and planing procedure. Newer dentists and advanced dental students often have lower rates. Dental schools are always looking for patients to help dental students gain experience.

How Painful is Scale and Root Planing?

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