Short answer: A deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, usually costs about $150 to $350 per quarter of the mouth in the United States, or about $600 to $1,400 for the whole mouth. A regular cleaning usually costs about $75 to $200. A deep cleaning is needed when gum disease has created pockets between the gums and teeth that a regular cleaning cannot reach. You are numbed for the treatment, it usually takes one or two visits, and most people feel some tenderness for a few days afterward. Dental insurance often pays part of the cost.
What Is the Difference Between a Deep Cleaning and a Regular Cleaning?
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar from healthy teeth, mostly at and just under the gumline. It is the routine visit most people have every six months.
A deep cleaning goes further. Scaling removes hardened tartar and bacteria from deep below the gumline, inside the pockets that form when gums pull away from the teeth. Root planing then smooths the root surfaces so the gums can heal and tighten back around the teeth. It treats active gum disease rather than simply preventing it.
How Much Does a Deep Cleaning Cost?
These are typical national ranges, not a quote. Dentists price deep cleaning by quadrant, which means one quarter of the mouth.
| Service | Typical cost | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Regular adult cleaning | About $75 to $200 | Healthy gums, every six months |
| Deep cleaning, per quadrant | About $150 to $350 | Gum pockets in one area of the mouth |
| Deep cleaning, full mouth | About $600 to $1,400 | Gum disease throughout the mouth |
| Full-mouth debridement | About $100 to $250 | Heavy tartar that must be removed before a full exam |
| Antibiotic placed in a gum pocket | About $50 to $100 per site | Pockets that need extra help healing |
| Periodontal maintenance visit | About $100 to $300 | Follow-up cleanings every 3 to 4 months |
Your total depends on how many quadrants need treatment, how deep the pockets are, and whether you need antibiotics or extra visits.
How Do I Know if I Need a Deep Cleaning?
Your dentist or hygienist measures the space between each tooth and the gum with a small ruler called a probe. Healthy pockets measure about 1 to 3 millimeters. Pockets of 4 millimeters or more that bleed, together with bone loss on X-rays, are signs of periodontitis, the more advanced stage of gum disease. Signs you might notice at home include:
- Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen or tender gums
- Bad breath that does not go away
- Gums pulling back from the teeth
- Teeth that feel loose or have shifted
If you have been told you need a deep cleaning, it is reasonable to ask to see your pocket measurements and X-rays. Our page on gum disease explains the stages in more detail.
What Happens During a Deep Cleaning?
The area is numbed with a local anesthetic first, so you should feel pressure and vibration rather than pain. An ultrasonic scaler loosens tartar with gentle vibration and water, and hand instruments remove what remains and smooth the roots. Many offices treat one half of the mouth per visit, with the two visits about one to two weeks apart, and each visit takes about an hour. Some cases are done in a single longer visit.
About four to six weeks later, the pockets are measured again to check how the gums have healed. At Opulent Dental, deep cleaning is part of our periodontal therapy, planned around your measurements.
What Is Recovery Like After a Deep Cleaning?
The numbness wears off within a few hours. For the next few days, it is common for gums to feel tender, for teeth to be sensitive to cold, and to see a little bleeding when you brush. These usually settle within a week. To help healing:
- Eat soft foods for a day or two and avoid very hot, spicy or crunchy foods
- Rinse with warm salt water a few times a day
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if your dentist says it is safe for you
- Keep brushing gently and flossing, starting the same day
- Avoid smoking, which slows gum healing
As the swelling goes down, gums tighten around the teeth. Some people notice small spaces between teeth near the gums afterward, because the swollen tissue that filled them has shrunk.
Does Insurance Cover a Deep Cleaning?
Usually in part. Many dental plans pay about 50% to 80% of scaling and root planing after the deductible, up to the yearly maximum. Insurers often ask for X-rays and pocket measurements showing pockets of 4 millimeters or more, and some limit how often a quadrant can be treated. Follow-up maintenance cleanings may count toward your plan's yearly number of cleanings.
If you do not have insurance, our VIP Membership dental savings plan takes 20% off deep cleaning and extra regular cleanings, with no waiting period.
What Happens if I Skip a Recommended Deep Cleaning?
Gum disease does not go away with brushing alone once pockets have formed, because the bacteria live below where a toothbrush can reach. Without treatment, the pockets can deepen, the bone that holds the teeth can wear away, and teeth can loosen or be lost. Replacing a lost tooth costs far more than treating the gums early. Gum disease has also been linked with conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, so healthy gums matter beyond your mouth.
How Often Will I Need Cleanings Afterward?
After a deep cleaning, most people move to periodontal maintenance cleanings every three to four months instead of every six. Bacteria in deep pockets can rebuild in about three months, so the shorter gap keeps the disease under control. Good home care, including flossing or using small brushes between teeth, makes the biggest difference to how long the results last.
Deep Cleaning Near Christiansburg and Blacksburg
If you are looking for a dentist in Christiansburg and have been told you need a deep cleaning, or your gums have started to bleed, Opulent Dental can measure your gums, show you what we find and give you the full cost in writing before treatment. Patients come from across the New River Valley, including those looking for a dentist in Blacksburg. Call (540) 382-4441 or visit us at 115 Akers Farm Rd NE Ste 3, Christiansburg, VA 24073.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a deep cleaning painful?
The treatment itself should not hurt, because the area is numbed first. Afterward, gums are often tender and teeth may be sensitive to cold for a few days, which over-the-counter pain relievers and salt-water rinses usually manage.
How long does a deep cleaning take?
Each visit usually takes about an hour. Many offices split the mouth into two visits about one to two weeks apart, while some cases are done in one longer appointment.
How often do I need a deep cleaning?
Most people need it once, followed by maintenance cleanings every three to four months. A repeat deep cleaning is only needed if pockets deepen again.
Can I eat after a deep cleaning?
Wait until the numbness wears off so you do not bite your cheek or tongue. Then stick to soft foods for a day or two and avoid very hot, spicy or crunchy foods.
Is a deep cleaning really necessary?
It is necessary when pockets are 4 millimeters or deeper with signs of gum disease, because a regular cleaning cannot reach that far. Ask to see your pocket measurements if you are unsure.
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. George is a general dentist at Opulent Dental with a special interest in dental implants and restorative dentistry. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) and is licensed to practice in Virginia.