How Much is a Dental Cleaning With Insurance

Dental experts say that routine dental cleaning is a vital part of preventive oral care. However, figuring out how much it costs can be tougher than getting rid of years of tartar buildup.

Basic dental cleaning is fairly simple and doesn’t usually take more than 30 to 60 minutes. It can, however, raise deeper issues that your dentist may want to address with a more complex procedure. 

In either case, a solid dental insurance plan might cover most or even all of your regular checkups and cleanings. It can even make a dent in more advanced cleanings.

Exactly how much is a dental cleaning with insurance? What factors contribute to the rates dentists charge? And which insurance carriers offer the best rates for certain types of patients? Benzinga takes a closer look in this post.

What Is Dental Cleaning?

Dental cleaning is a preventive step usually performed by a dental hygienist, if not the dentist. Its main purpose is to eliminate dental plaque and tartar or calculus. Dental plaque is a film of bacteria that develops on teeth. When left unaddressed, plaque can harden and turn into a tartar deposit.

Many dentists recommend that their patients get a dental cleaning at least once or twice per year. A standard dental cleaning with no advanced procedures or diagnostics usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. The hygienist or dentist performs these steps:

• Examine the mouth and teeth to detect possible health issues
• Remove dental plaque and tartar with specialized dental instruments
• Apply tooth polish to smooth teeth and remove stains
• Apply fluoride treatment to prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth, if needed
• Give the patient information and advice on good oral hygiene practices

As a typical part of regular dental checkups, teeth cleaning contributes to continued dental health and helps to stave off oral health problems. Working side by side with regular brushing and flossing, dental cleanings can considerably extend the healthy life of your mouth.

Average Cost of Dental Cleaning

The cost of a dental cleaning varies according to multiple factors, which are covered in more detail below. However, the most critical factor is whether the patient has dental insurance to cover the procedure. 

Dental insurance is usually not part of standard medical plans and must be obtained separately. So how much is a dental cleaning with insurance and without?

With Insurance

Most dental insurance plans make it easy to get routine cleaning. Many cover the entire cost of an annual cleaning because it’s so crucial for maintaining preventive care. Policies usually allow for at least one dental cleaning per year that the policyholder doesn’t have to pay for out of pocket.

Remember, too, that most insurance companies require patients to use preferred physicians in a specific network. In-network hospitals, clinics and healthcare professionals work directly with insurance companies to negotiate group rates. 

Staying in the network usually gives patients better coverage and reduced out-of-pocket costs. Going outside the network can result in lesser but more expensive coverage.

Without Insurance

If a patient doesn’t have dental insurance, getting a routine cleaning can be expensive. On average, a standard cleaning costs around $125 in 2024. However, depending on the nature and depth of the cleaning, the price can run anywhere from $70 to $225.

Some dental offices may allow a patient without insurance to obtain cleanings at a discount or through a payment plan. Get in touch with local dental offices to learn about the services they provide and the rates they offer.

Factors That Affect Cost

Many factors can play a part in how much a dental cleaning will cost, from procedural tasks to surprising external causes. These are some of the most common.

Deep Cleaning

A standard, routine dental cleaning — known in the industry as “prophylaxis” — is generally the least expensive service a dental office provides. However, in some situations, the dentist may recommend a more intensive cleaning procedure.

A patient with gum disease, deep pockets between teeth and gums, substantial tartar buildup, bleeding gums or other conditions may require scaling and root planing. This involves a thorough tooth cleaning, removing tartar from teeth and roots and smoothing teeth surfaces. A few procedures may require local anesthesia.

Dental Insurance Coverage

Most dental plans cover 100% of the costs of routine cleaning, but policyholders shouldn’t take that for granted. Some may not cover all preventive services or routines or will only pay for a portion of the costs.

If you have a copy of your policy documents, take a look to determine how much it covers regarding routine and deep cleaning. Your insurance provider’s customer service line can also tell you how extensive your coverage is. Make sure you inquire about specific limitations, terms or conditions that may come into play.

Rates in Your Community

Certain factors about the area you live in can affect how much dental cleanings cost. Places with higher costs of living, healthy economies and higher office overhead costs may charge more. Areas that are economically challenged may charge less.

In addition, some municipalities, counties and states have varying insurance reimbursement rates, regulations and licensing fees. Insurance providers may also charge different prices in different regions. These local factors all contribute to the cost of dental cleaning. 

Type of Practice

Some dental clinics offer more specialized services that treat specific dental concerns. Other clinics are more general practices. Depending on the clinic’s chief area of focus, if it has one, it may charge slightly more or less for more specialized preventive care.

Suppose, for instance, that you get your cleanings at offices specializing in oral surgery, orthodontia, endodontic services, pediatric dentistry or the restoration of damaged teeth. These practices may charge different rates than more general offices.

Additional Services

Some offices provide additional services and resources in case an issue comes up in a routine cleaning. These may include X-rays, fluoride treatment, closer examinations or other preventive measures. The cost for these added services may be included in the cleaning bill or charged separately. Either way, the patient’s bill will be affected. 

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Learn More About Dental Cleaning Coverage

This blog has hopefully covered most of the angles about dental insurance that you may have questions about. But if you want to sink your teeth into some additional research, there are several avenues you can take:

• Look up plans in a credible online comparison tool.
• Check customer feedback and level-headed online reviews.
• Talk to a dentist network to find out cost-effective options.
• Ask your insurer about bundling dental coverage with other policies.
• Get recommendations from family, friends and colleagues.

Scheduling regular dental cleanings is an investment in your continued oral health. It can even go a long way toward preventing more expensive dental work in the future. Make sure to stay educated on your options for treatment and payment.

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