You can also ask your dentist’s office if they offer payment plans, a sliding scale or subsidization programs. Always check with your insurance provider before your appointment to verify coverage for your procedure. While many dental plans cover at least 50% of scaling and root planing, others do not. The answer depends on your insurance plan. Deep cleaning isn’t a surgical procedure, so the anesthesia is only used on the gums and teeth while patients are awake. Does a deep cleaning require any anesthesia?ĭeep cleanings often call for local anesthetic, Grillo says. Some patients experience soreness, sensitivity or small amounts of gum bleeding after a deep cleaning. The discomfort could last a few days, and it might require an over-the-counter pain reliever. It’s not unusual to experience more pain and sensitivity after a deep cleaning than you would after a regular cleaning. Do deep cleanings hurt more than regular cleanings? Hygienists often deep clean one side of the mouth at one appointment, then the other at a subsequent appointment one or two weeks later. A scaling and root planing appointment may last for around two hours, according to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. While a regular cleaning takes place during a routine dental visit every six months, deep cleanings can require several appointments. If your dentist recommends a deep cleaning, take heed: When deposits form on the root surfaces of the teeth, “the bacteria produce toxins and cause inflammation in the gums, and this condition may lead to bone loss,” Grillo says. They might also conduct “root planing” - which is a procedure that smooths down any rough surfaces on the teeth near where the roots meet the gums. If you’re experiencing this, the dental hygienist will typically “scale” your gums, which means removing plaque and tarter from the deep spaces between the teeth and gums. Periodontitis generally requires deep cleaning. Otherwise, it can usually be addressed through a regular cleaning, brushing and flossing. If your health care provider suspects you may have gingivitis, they may recommend a deep cleaning. Deep pockets can be a sign of gum disease, which starts with gingivitis - the mildest form of gum disease - and can evolve into periodontitis, which is more severe. If your dental hygienist or dentist finds that deep pockets have formed between your teeth and gums due to inflammation or swelling caused by plaque buildup, they will likely recommend a deep cleaning. If tartar removal below the gum line is necessary, you’ll likely need a deep cleaning.Ī deep cleaning usually includes more intensive procedures, like scaling or root planning. “If the calculus is at the gum line or above, this service is considered a regular cleaning,” Grillo says. The difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning is whether the procedure extends beyond the gum line, Grillo says. Dental hygienists can remove bacterial plaque that brushing and flossing alone can’t remove. Greg Grillo, a dentist and spokesperson for Express Dentist. a regular cleaning?Ī regular dental cleaning removes calculus - or tartar - that forms on the teeth, says Dr. Ultimately, your dentist can suggest the best type of cleaning for your needs, but it’s helpful to understand the key differences between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning. If you’re heading back to the dentist after a while, you may be wondering if a regular cleaning will get the job done or if you could use a deep cleaning. That was before the COVID-19 pandemic caused some patients to postpone appointments out of fear of contracting the virus. In 2019, only 64.9% of Americans said they had undergone a dental exam or cleaning in the past 12 months. Keeping up with dental visits isn’t a top priority for many people.
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