How much do you pay for a professional teeth cleaning?

[catherine]

I admit it's been a while since I've had a teeth cleaning at my dentist's office. But I was given a quote today of over $500--and that was after they removed a couple of "optional" services, like a flouride rinse, to make the financial burden "more comfortable for me." I asked how long it takes, and they said an hour or a little more. It is done by the hygienist, not the dentist.

What am I paying for here?? Full disclosure I have some gingivitis that they are going to treat, along with just the standard plaque removal and buffing.

[bae]

Seems to me I'm usually paying in the $125-$150 range here.

[iris lilies]

it’s been two years since I have my teeth cleaned and yes that’s the one remaining things I’ve got to get on. But it was somewhere around $120-$140. Normally I do it twice a year.

[Rogar]

I think my last bill for cleaning by a dental hygienist was $175. However, if it’s been a while since bite wing X-rays that is an add on. And for an annual exam by a real dentist is also an add on. For the full treatment I think $350 or $400. My insurance has covered two cleanings a year plus the X-rays and dr. exam as needed so far.

[pinkytoe]

Mine never does just a cleaning so I have to add-on either bite wings or the two minute check by the dentist afterwards. Around $235 total.

[iris lilies]

my dentist does the bitewing x-rays once a year, which is added on to teeth cleaning

[catherine]

OK, so maybe that's what they did. When I walked in as a new patient, they only charged me $29 for the visit. Then they did a bunch of X-rays, and I do remember thinking, aren't they going to charge me for this?

So maybe they just bundle those services.

[iris lilies]

Yes I would think a new patient intake process would be thorough and expensive. I remember the first time I went to the dentist after staying away for more than a decade and he spent a LOT of time looking me over and making notes.

(R.I.P our beloved Dr. Jines.) it just occurred to me that maybe that’s why I haven’t gone back to the dentist because I know I’m not going to see him there. He was absent from that practice the last couple times I visited there, but still, I miss my dentist.

[sweetana3]

I pay $325 for twice yearly cleanings, checkup, xrays, 10% discount on any services. Just notified yesterday that my dentist of 20 years is retiring but his whole practice is being turned over to another dentist with the same employees. So we shall see.

[frugal-one]

Just got back from Mexico where cleanings are $35. Training done in TX so done the same as in the US.