Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment Costs
Non-surgical treatments are the first line of defense against gum disease. Scaling and root planing (SRP), commonly called deep cleaning, is the most common non-surgical treatment. The procedure removes plaque and tartar from below the gum line and smooths the root surfaces to help gums reattach to the teeth. SRP costs $200 to $300 per quadrant (the mouth is divided into four quadrants). Full-mouth SRP costs $800 to $1,200.
Your periodontist may also recommend adjunctive therapies. Locally applied antibiotics (such as Arestin placed in periodontal pockets) cost $35 to $75 per tooth. Antimicrobial mouth rinses (prescription chlorhexidine) cost $15 to $30. Laser therapy as an adjunct to SRP adds $200 to $500 per quadrant at some practices.
Surgical Periodontal Treatment Costs
If non-surgical treatment does not adequately control the disease, periodontal surgery may be recommended. Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery) costs $1,000 to $3,000 per quadrant. During this procedure, the gum tissue is folded back, tartar is removed from deep pockets, and the gums are repositioned to reduce pocket depth. Osseous surgery (bone recontouring) is often performed at the same time and adds to the cost.
Regenerative procedures use bone grafts and/or guided tissue regeneration membranes to rebuild bone lost to periodontal disease. Bone grafting costs $300 to $1,500 per site depending on the material and extent. Guided tissue regeneration adds $500 to $1,500 per site. These procedures can save teeth that might otherwise need extraction.
Gum Graft Surgery Costs
Gum grafting treats gum recession by adding tissue to areas where the gums have pulled away from the teeth. A connective tissue graft (the most common type) costs $600 to $1,200 per tooth. A free gingival graft costs $500 to $1,000 per tooth. The pinhole surgical technique, a minimally invasive alternative, costs $800 to $1,500 per tooth.
When multiple adjacent teeth need grafting, the per-tooth cost typically decreases because the procedure uses a single donor site. A treatment area covering three to four adjacent teeth may cost $1,500 to $3,000 total. Donor tissue alternatives (AlloDerm and similar products) may increase costs by $200 to $500 but eliminate the need for a palatal donor site.
Ongoing Maintenance Costs
After periodontal treatment, ongoing maintenance visits are essential to prevent recurrence. These visits (called periodontal maintenance) occur every 3 to 4 months and cost $150 to $300 per visit. This is more frequent and slightly more expensive than a standard dental cleaning because the hygienist monitors pocket depths, removes bacterial deposits from below the gum line, and checks for signs of disease recurrence.
Annual periodontal maintenance costs $600 to $1,200 (four visits at $150 to $300 each). Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal maintenance at 50% to 80%, making the out-of-pocket cost $120 to $600 per year.
Insurance Coverage for Periodontal Treatment
Most dental insurance plans cover periodontal treatment at 50% to 80% after the deductible. Scaling and root planing is covered by most plans, though some limit the frequency (once every 2 to 3 years per quadrant). Periodontal surgery is typically covered at 50% to 80%. Gum grafting coverage varies, with some plans covering it and others classifying it as cosmetic.
Annual maximum limits ($1,000 to $2,000 on most plans) can be a factor for extensive periodontal treatment. If you need surgery on multiple quadrants, the total may exceed your annual maximum. Discuss the timing of treatment with your periodontist to maximize insurance benefits across calendar years.
Find a Periodontist Near You
A periodontist can evaluate the severity of your gum disease and provide a detailed treatment plan with cost estimates. Search by location on My Specialty Dentist to find periodontists in your area.
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