'deep cleaning' dentist appointment????

[anyuka]

Is this a scam or what? I've never had a deep cleaning before. Just the normal cleaning, scraping and polish. I started going to a new dentist and they want to set me up on a new plan for deep cleanings (sorry I forgot the exact medical term for it). My insurance doesn't cover it, so it would be out of pocket. I have perfect teeth, never had cavity. Dentist always compliments what great teeth I have, very little plaque. I'm thinking this is just another way to get more money out of patients. I've also heard that it is very painful. Any thoughts? Anyone in the dental industry have advice? Thanks!

Oh, and they said that I grind my teeth and need a guard. I know for a fact I do not grind my teeth!!!!!!!!!! She tried to show me where I grind and how it's worn down, but my teeth have always looked that way.

[WaitingForKiddos]

A 'deep cleaning' is typically gum scaling. It's for folks unfortunate enough to have gum issues. I've never heard of it for people with perfect teeth.

I just had one. It didn't hurt and it felt amazing afterwards....like a cleaning x 10.

[tanyalynn]

This sounds somewhat expensive and potentially painful. It sounds like you don't have immediate concerns/problems with your teeth, so I'd wait 6 months (did these people do a basic cleaning?) and get a rec for another dentist and visit them and see what they say. There can be genuine differences in how medical professionals do things--some want to do more stuff (tests, procedures, etc) and some are more laid-back. You should feel comfortable with your healthcare provider.

[Mosaic]

DH has perfect teeth, no cavities. But yes, he had a deep cleaning because he had the beginning signs of periodontal disease, and I imagine that is what your situation is as well. You can have great teeth and still fight off gum disease, but a good cleaning can help reverse the gum damage. We have a dentist we have trusted for years, so I know it's a valid procedure but of course I can't examine you and see if you need it! I believe he went 3 times? Don't remember, but it did the trick and he hasn't had to repeat it.

[anyuka]

Thanks for all the responses. I'll definitely look some more into and see if it's really necessary. I'm just so nervous these days of people always trying to upsell me on things I don't need just to make money.....

[lil_miss_understood]

Deep cleaning or root scaling is, as a pp mentioned, generally done when seeing the beginning stages of periodontal disease. It's done to remove plaque from beneath the gum line in "periodontal pockets" so that the gum can move back into place and heal. If you have plaque below the gum line, you have periodontal disease.
My dentist puts his patients under for the procedure but I was awake for it the first time (several years ago with a doctor who did not explain that the need for this procedure meant that I had periodontal disease). I believe it wasn't all too uncomfortable the first time but chose to be put under the second (more because I just didn't want to be awake in the chair for a few hours).

[GreatfulMomma]

I'm a dental hygienist who does periodontal scaling and root planing when necessary. Many people come to our office from a particular chain of dental offices in our area, all of whose patients "need" this perio treatment. Some of them really do need it, but many more are being told they need perio treatment when their particular issue is gingivitis. The difference is that gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, usually due to plaque and tartar below and around the gums. Periodontal disease is when there is actual damage to the bone surrounding and supporting your teeth. Many offices use only periodontal charting, or probing measurements to determine what treatment you require. If you have inflamed gums, they will be swollen and the reading may be the same as if you have bone loss. Bone loss can be diagnosed using xrays in addition to the perio probing.

I would probably ask friends and family in the area for recommendations to a dentist that doesn't automatically treat every patient for perio disease. They exist, I work for one!

ps For gingivitis with heavy tartar, we perform a gross debridement, code D4355. While this isn't generally covered by most insurances, or may be at a reduced fee, it's nowhere near as expensive as perio scaling, code D4341.

If you really do have periodontal disease, you're gonna need treatment, as well as perio maintenance cleanings every 3 months, also generally not covered 100%.

I would suggest a second opinion unless they can show you the bone loss on your xrays. You can google for periodontal disease and find tons of info. Best wishes in getting to the bottom of things.

[Las Vegas Lady]

Deep Cleaning

I just had a "Deep Cleaning", I was in the chair no more than 1 hour for a tooth extraction and "Deep Cleaning" of my entire mouth. The Cleaning alone was $800!!!!!!!! The doctor only gave me a topical for all but the extraction. Deep Cleaning???? I expected the proceedure to take hours! I was in no pain and I think I may take longer to brush my teeth than it took him to "Deep Clean" Can anyone tell me how long it took for your teeth to be deep cleaned with a sonic cleaner?