Short answer
The cost of scaling and root planing depends mostly on how many of the four sections (quadrants) of your mouth need it and how deep the gum pockets are. Insurance, any X-rays or exam needed first, and follow-up maintenance visits also shape what you pay. At Richmond Dental Care, we measure your gums first and give you a written estimate before any treatment starts.
What is scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing, often called a deep cleaning, treats gum disease. A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar at and just under the gumline. A deep cleaning goes further down into the pockets that form when gum disease pulls the gum away from the tooth.
Scaling scrapes away hardened tartar and bacteria from the root surfaces. Root planing smooths those roots so the gum can heal and tighten back against the tooth. The area is numbed with local anesthetic so you are comfortable.
Read the full treatment overview on our scaling and root planing page.
What factors change the price?
1. How many quadrants need treatment
Dental offices and insurance plans price deep cleaning by quadrant: upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left. Some people need only one or two areas treated. Others have gum disease in all four. This is the single biggest driver of the total.
2. How many teeth in each quadrant are affected
Billing codes separate a quadrant with four or more affected teeth from a quadrant with only one to three. A quadrant with fewer affected teeth is usually billed at a lower rate.
3. How deep the pockets are
Healthy gum pockets are shallow. Deeper pockets hold more tartar and take more time to clean thoroughly. Very deep pockets may mean the gum disease is advanced and could need more treatment later.
4. What is needed first
A deep cleaning is planned from a full exam with X-rays and gum measurements. If you are new to us, that starts with a comprehensive exam. Our new-patient comprehensive exam with panoramic and intraoral X-rays is $99 self-pay. See our dental prices for details.
5. Follow-up care
After a deep cleaning, gum disease needs to be kept in check with periodontal maintenance visits, often every 3 to 4 months at first. These cost more than a basic cleaning, but less than repeating deep cleaning because the disease came back.
6. Your insurance
Most PPO plans list scaling and root planing as a basic or major service, which means they often pay a share of the cost after your deductible. Plans may limit how often each quadrant can be treated. We verify your benefits before treatment so you know your share. We are in network with Delta Dental PPO, Principal and Sun Life, among others.
How does the cost compare with a regular cleaning?
| Regular cleaning | Scaling and root planing | Periodontal maintenance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Healthy gums | Active gum disease with deeper pockets | After deep cleaning |
| How it is billed | Per visit | Per quadrant | Per visit |
| Numbing | Usually not needed | Local anesthetic | Sometimes, in sore areas |
| Typical schedule | Every 6 months for most people | Once, over 1 or more visits | Often every 3–4 months |
For a deeper look, see scaling and root planing cost compared to a regular cleaning.
Why would a dentist recommend a deep cleaning instead of a regular one?
A regular cleaning cannot reach tartar that sits deep under the gums. Cleaning only the top of the tooth leaves bacteria in the pocket, so the disease keeps going even though your teeth look clean. Signs that you may need a deep cleaning include:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Gum pockets deeper than normal on measurement
- Bone loss around teeth on X-rays
- Bad breath that does not go away
- Gums pulling back from the teeth, or teeth that feel loose
Learn more about the early signs of gum disease.
Is scaling and root planing worth the cost?
Gum disease is a leading cause of adult tooth loss, and it does not go away on its own. Treating it early costs far less than replacing teeth with crowns, bridges, dentures or implants later. It also tends to make brushing more comfortable and bleeding less common within a few weeks.
How can you make the cost easier to manage?
- Ask us to split treatment over two visits, such as one side of the mouth at a time, so costs are spread out.
- Use FSA or HSA funds, which can be used for dental treatment.
- Finance through Cherry, Sunbit or CareCredit. See Cherry payment plans.
- Keep up with maintenance visits so you do not need a repeat deep cleaning.
Patients in Richmond and nearby Fort Bend communities can book this care on a Saturday, which helps if a weekday visit is hard to arrange.
When to call us
Call us if your gums bleed when you brush, if they look red, puffy or pulled back, if you have bad breath that will not go away, or if a tooth feels loose. These are common signs of gum disease, which is easier and less costly to treat early. Call (832) 612-2831 — we’re open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 9am–3pm.
Frequently asked questions
Most PPO dental plans cover part of it after your deductible, usually as a basic or major service. We verify your benefits before treatment and tell you your expected share in writing.
Sometimes. Many people have it split into two visits, one side of the mouth at a time, which is easier on the gums and on your budget.
The area is numbed with local anesthetic, so most people feel pressure and scraping rather than pain. Your gums may be tender for a few days afterward.
Gum disease usually keeps getting worse. Over time it can destroy the bone that holds teeth in place, which leads to loose teeth and tooth loss.
Sources
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Every mouth is different — the right treatment for you depends on an exam.