What Is a Deep Cleaning?
A deep cleaning is a non-surgical dental procedure used to treat gum disease. The clinical name is scaling and root planing. Unlike a regular cleaning, which focuses on the tooth surfaces above and slightly below the gumline, a deep cleaning goes further. It removes plaque, tartar, and bacteria from the root surfaces of the teeth, deep inside the periodontal pockets.
Scaling is the process of removing tartar and plaque from the tooth surfaces and below the gumline. Root planing smooths the rough areas on the root surfaces where bacteria tend to collect. Once the roots are smooth, the gums can reattach to the teeth more effectively, reducing pocket depth over time.
When Is a Deep Cleaning Needed?
A deep cleaning is recommended when your dentist or periodontist finds signs of gum disease during an exam. The primary indicator is periodontal pocket depth. During a dental checkup, your provider uses a small probe to measure the space between your gums and teeth. Healthy gums have pocket depths of 1 to 3 millimeters.
When pockets measure 4 mm or deeper, it typically means bacteria and tartar have built up below the gumline where regular brushing and standard cleanings cannot reach. Your provider may also see bleeding during probing, inflammation, or early bone loss on X-rays. These findings together point to gum disease that needs more than a routine cleaning.
Deep Cleaning vs. Regular Cleaning
Patients often ask why they need a deep cleaning instead of a regular one. The two procedures serve different purposes.
Regular Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
A regular cleaning, or prophylaxis, is a preventive procedure for patients with healthy gums or very mild gingivitis. It removes plaque and tartar from above the gumline and polishes the teeth. Most adults get a regular cleaning twice a year. It does not treat gum disease. If you have pocket depths of 4 mm or more, a regular cleaning alone will not address the problem.
Deep Cleaning (Scaling and Root Planing)
A deep cleaning is a therapeutic procedure performed to treat active gum disease. It goes below the gumline, into the periodontal pockets, to remove bacterial deposits and smooth the root surfaces. It requires local anesthesia in most cases and is typically done over two or more appointments. A deep cleaning treats the disease. A regular cleaning prevents it.
How Much Does a Deep Cleaning Cost?
Deep cleaning teeth cost varies based on several factors. The mouth is divided into four quadrants (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left), and pricing is typically quoted per quadrant.
Cost Without Insurance
Without dental insurance, scaling and root planing typically costs $200 to $300 per quadrant. A full-mouth deep cleaning (all four quadrants) may range from $800 to $1,200. Some offices charge more in higher cost-of-living areas. If your provider recommends local antibiotic placement in the pockets after scaling, this can add $30 to $75 per tooth treated. Costs vary by location and provider.
Cost With Insurance
Most dental insurance plans classify scaling and root planing as a covered periodontal procedure when it is diagnosed as medically necessary. Coverage typically ranges from 50% to 80% of the cost, depending on your plan. With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost for a full-mouth deep cleaning may be $150 to $500.
Be aware that dental insurance plans often have annual maximums, typically $1,000 to $2,000. If you need additional dental work in the same year, the deep cleaning may use a significant portion of your annual benefit. Some providers recommend splitting treatment across two calendar years to maximize insurance benefits.
Factors That Affect Cost
- Geographic location: Costs are higher in major cities and areas with a higher cost of living.
- Number of quadrants treated: You may not need all four quadrants treated. Your provider will assess which areas require deep cleaning.
- Severity of the disease: More extensive tartar buildup and deeper pockets may require additional time and treatment.
- Local anesthesia: Most deep cleanings require numbing, which may or may not be included in the base price.
- Antibiotic placement: Locally applied antibiotics (Arestin or similar) placed into the pockets after scaling add to the total cost.
- Provider type: Treatment by a periodontist may cost slightly more than treatment by a general dentist or dental hygienist, but may be recommended for more severe cases.
What to Expect During a Deep Cleaning
A deep cleaning is usually performed over two visits, with one or two quadrants treated per appointment. This approach allows the provider to be thorough and keeps each visit manageable for the patient.
Your provider will numb the treatment area with local anesthesia. Using specialized instruments, they will remove plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and root surfaces below the gumline. The roots are then smoothed to remove rough spots where bacteria attach. Each appointment typically takes 45 minutes to an hour per quadrant.
Some providers use ultrasonic scalers, which vibrate at high frequency to break up tartar, combined with hand instruments for fine detail work. After scaling and root planing, locally applied antibiotics may be placed in deeper pockets to help control bacteria.
Recovery After a Deep Cleaning
Most patients experience mild discomfort and sensitivity for a few days after a deep cleaning. The gums may feel sore or slightly swollen. Sensitivity to hot and cold is common, especially around areas where the root surface was exposed during planing. These symptoms typically resolve within a week.
You can eat after the anesthesia wears off, but stick to softer foods for the first day or two. Continue brushing and flossing gently, including the treated areas. An antimicrobial mouthwash may be recommended to help reduce bacteria during healing.
Your provider will schedule a follow-up visit, typically 4 to 6 weeks after treatment, to re-evaluate pocket depths and gum health. In many cases, pocket depths improve by 1 to 2 mm after scaling and root planing. If pockets remain deep, further treatment such as additional scaling or a referral to a periodontist may be recommended.
Who Should Perform Your Deep Cleaning?
Deep cleanings are performed by dental hygienists (under a dentist's supervision), general dentists, and periodontists. For mild to moderate gum disease, a general dental office can typically handle the procedure effectively.
For more advanced cases, or if your gum disease has not improved after initial treatment at a general dental office, a periodontist may be the better choice. A periodontist is a dental specialist with 3 additional years of training in treating gum and bone disease. They have experience managing complex periodontal cases and access to additional treatment options if scaling and root planing alone is not sufficient. Learn more on our [periodontics specialty page](/specialties/periodontics).
Find a Periodontist Near You
If you need a deep cleaning or have been diagnosed with gum disease, every periodontist on My Specialty Dentist has verified specialty credentials. Search by location to find a provider in your area.
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