John Cherry

What you’ll pay to get your teeth cleaned

The cost of getting your teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist can vary widely.  Find out what can expect to pay, with and without insurance, and how to avoid paying too much.

Teeth cleaning is one of the most common dental procedures and, if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, it is one of the first services you’ll need.  Unlike other forms of healthcare, most dental cost are paid out of pocket.  Even if you have dental insurance, you may end up paying more out of pocket than you expect.  So it pays to know up front what you should expect to pay for this service.

Professional teeth cleaning by a dental hygienist is recommended to remove tartar that may develop, even if you routinely brush and floss. The main goal of professional teeth cleaning is to prevent gum disease, the primary cause of tooth loss in adults.  Most dental hygienists recommend having the teeth professionally cleaned at least once every 1 to 2 years. The process usually requires only a single visit and takes between 20-40 minutes.

If you are paying out of pocket, the price for a standard teeth cleaning and dental exam ranges from $40 -$115.  When calling around for prices offered by Atlanta dentists, we were surprised to find this wide range of prices. Though, there are certainly differences in quality from one dentist to the next, it is hard to believe that these are as pronounced as the differences in price.  If you find a younger dentist who is accepting new patients and building his practice and is not in the highest rent part of town, you are likely to get a better deal.

Also keep in mind that periodic X-rays are sometimes required to spot potential problems developing inside the teeth. These may be required before cleaning the teeth of patients new to a practice. These are typically covered by dental insurance. If not, they cost between $90 and $180 for a complete series.

Often dental insurance will cover some or all of this cost for a specific number of cleanings each year. It is wise to check into the details of your insurance plan to get a sense for how much you will be expected to pay.  Additionally, many dental plans have a relatively low deductible, e.g. $1,000, and you are planning or have already had work done during the year, you may end up paying out of pocket for additional work. 

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