Your dentist or dental hygienist removes plaque, calculus (tartar), and bacteria from your mouth.  Professional dental cleanings are a vital part of maintaining your oral and overall health. There are different types of dental cleanings based on your unique oral health status, from routine preventive cleanings to more extensive treatments. 

How much does a standard dental cleaning cost?

The average cost for a standard dental cleaning without dental benefits is $85 to $160. 

Most dental benefits plans cover some or all of the costs for preventive services such as routine dental cleanings, X-rays, and dental exams. If you have dental benefits, review your plan to determine coverage or call the number on the back of your insurance card for help.

How much does a specialized dental cleaning cost?

This price can vary based on your oral health situation, your dental benefits plan, and the treatment you need. Cost ranges for the different types of dental cleanings include:

• Full mouth debridement: It is a thorough cleaning of all your teeth and is done when extensive plaque and tartar interferes with the dentist’s ability to perform a thorough exam.

Average cost without dental benefits: $150 to $260

• Periodontal scaling and root planing: This treatment is for gum disease, sometimes called a “deep cleaning,” which involves smoothing the tooth roots and removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria below the gumline. This cost includes scaling and root planing for one quadrant (one-fourth) of your mouth.

Average cost without dental benefits: $180 to $295

• Periodontal maintenance cleaning: This treatment for gum disease is performed at your next scheduled cleaning after scaling and root planing was done and includes the removal of tartar and plaque from above and below the gumline for a patient who has had previous periodontal treatment (deep cleaning or gum surgery). The price covers a cleaning for your whole mouth.

Average cost without dental benefits: $140 to $220