If you have mild to moderate gum disease, your dentist may recommend that you undergo scaling and root planing. This non-surgical treatment aims to rid your mouth of harmful bacteria so your oral tissues have a chance to heal. But as a frugal individual, you may naturally wonder how much the treatment costs. This blog post presents important and practical information.
What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing (SRP) is essentially a deep cleaning of the mouth. It is more intensive than a basic dental cleaning because it involves removing plaque from both above and below the gumline. It also includes smoothing out the tooth roots so bacteria can no longer easily cling to them.
SRP is usually performed on only one quadrant of the mouth at a time, and not all patients need whole-mouth treatment.
Average Cost of Scaling and Root Planing
The cost of scaling and root planing depends on your dentist’s pricing structure, the cost of living in your area, and the extent of the needed treatment. Fees often start at a few hundred dollars per quadrant.
Does Insurance Cover Scaling and Root Planing?
Yes, most dental insurance plans cover SRP. Depending on your policy, this service might be classified as a minor or major treatment, so between 50% and 80% of its cost might be covered, up to the amount of your insurance plan’s annual maximum. With the help of their insurance, many patients are able to save hundreds of dollars out of pocket.
If your insurance coverage is limited, or you do not have insurance, ask your dental team about other payment options. Many practices offer low-interest payment plans and/or have an in-house discount plan.
Save Money Through Preventive Care
After successful SRP, it is important that you care well for your gums in order to reduce your need for future treatment. You may need to visit your dentist every 3 – 4 months for periodontal maintenance visits, which help to clean out bacteria and prevent gum disease from flaring up again. If your gums appear stable after a few maintenance visits, you might be able to space your visits out to twice a year.
Dental insurance often covers around 80% of the cost of periodontal maintenance visits. If your condition allows you to just visit your dentist twice a year for a standard cleaning, these appointments might be 100% covered.
Scaling and root planing is more affordable than more invasive forms of gum disease treatment, but you still need to plan your budget to accommodate it. Ask your dental team for an estimate so you can make arrangements to protect your smile without placing a strain on your budget.
Meet the Practice
At Family Dental Practice of Bloomfield, we are pleased to provide top-quality care for our community. Scaling and root planing, routine dental maintenance, and a range of other services are available in our office. We are happy to accept most forms of dental insurance, and we can walk you through other payment options as well. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact our team at 860-263-0441.