My teeth don’t hurt, and I haven’t noticed any problems. The last dentist used a fancy rotating x-ray machine that looks under the gums and said it showed I need a deep cleaning.
This is in the USA.
What can I do? Deep cleaning is expensive even with insurance.
The insurance seems to cover part of it, but it’s still about $500 per session, and they do it in two sessions (one side at a time), so $1,000 total after insurance.
My spouse thinks I can get a regular cleaning done before the end of this year using my insurance benefits and then wait until next year to do the deep cleaning so it’ll be covered by the new cycle. How does that work?
If your insurance covers it, I’d go for the deep cleaning. I’ve had two done (about 10 years apart), and they’ve helped keep my teeth in great shape. You’ll still need regular cleanings afterward, which should be covered by insurance.
If it’s been a while since your last cleaning and there’s a lot of buildup, a deep cleaning might be necessary. If you think the dentist is suggesting it just for money, getting a second opinion wouldn’t hurt.
If the dentist determines a deep cleaning is necessary, they can’t just skip it and do a regular one instead. That’s considered supervised neglect in their field.
I wouldn’t bother with this dentist. Dental care is ridiculously expensive, and insurance doesn’t do much. I take great care of my teeth, but I still think most dentists overcharge.
The need for a deep cleaning depends on how bad the buildup is. If they found significant plaque or tartar under the gum line, it’s probably necessary.
Even if your teeth don’t hurt and look fine, there could be issues below the gum line that only an x-ray would catch. Deep cleanings help prevent gum disease from getting worse. Ask your dentist why they think a deep cleaning is necessary, it might just not have been explained well.
Zev said:
Was this at a chain dentist like Aspen? They’re known for pushing unnecessary treatments. If so, definitely get a second opinion.
I went to a chain dentist once, and they tried to sell me on a deep cleaning because of ‘gum pockets.’ I got a second opinion, and it turned out there was nothing wrong. These places can be really shady.
Be careful because some dentists will bill insurance for cleaning even if they didn’t do it, and that could cause issues when you see a different dentist. One time, my husband went to a new place, and they didn’t even clean his teeth, they just did a consultation. He called the insurance company to report it, and they helped clear it up so he could go to another dentist without any problems.
Your dental benefits probably reset in January. For example, my insurance covers up to $1,500 per year, and it starts over at the beginning of the year. I’d also get a second opinion, that price seems high for a deep cleaning.
Most dentists aren’t trying to scam you. If they’re recommending a deep cleaning, it’s probably because it’s needed. Waiting for insurance approval won’t hurt anything, so give them a chance to sort it out.