Blog Summary:
- Routine dental cleanings without insurance typically cost $100–$200, with San Diego prices on the higher end.
- Deep cleanings (scaling and root planing) can cost $600–$1,200 for the full mouth.
- Skipping cleanings may lead to costly issues like gum disease, root canals, or tooth loss.
- Treatments for advanced dental problems can range from $800 to over $5,000 per tooth.
- The Super Dentists offer a $99/year Super Smile Savings Plan to make preventive care affordable without insurance.
Are you 1 of 3 Americans who don’t have dental coverage? Has it been a while since your last teeth cleaning appointment? (We’ve all been there). Then you’re probably wondering how much a dental cleaning costs. The simple answer? Usually, somewhere between $100-$200+.
Let’s unpack that some more so you can understand just how much your budget will be impacted by routine dental work.
We’ll also compare the potential opportunity cost of avoiding dental work with the cost of getting that work done in the first place.
The Average Cost of Dental Cleaning with No Insurance
How expensive is a dentist without insurance? You might’ve heard horror stories of friends and family members who’ve gone in to have their pearly whites checked and walked out with a bill in the several-hundred-dollar or even several-thousand-dollar range.
Thankfully, when it comes to prophylaxis dental cleanings, specifically, the costs are often much more manageable. Are they expensive enough to prohibit some individuals from going to the dentist often? Sure. (We’ll explain why that’s a financial and health mistake later).
For now, here’s how much going to the dentist with no insurance typically costs for a cleaning, according to several sources:
- GoodRx: $104 average nationally
- Humana: $125 on average with a range of up to $200
- Delta Dental: $100-$130, depending on location and services
- Aflac: Up to $200
Averaging these figures together (using the higher value from Delta Dental data), we get an approximate mean cost of $139.75. Looking at extremes, you’re not likely to pay much less than $100, but you’re also not likely to pay much more than $200. This, of course, varies based on location. Here in the San Diego area, where prices are often higher relative to national averages, you’re likely to pay more towards the higher end of these ranges.
Also worth noting is the fact that a brand-new patient appointment (with cleaning, X-rays, exams, and more) usually will cost more than a standalone cleaning.
The Average Cost of Deep Cleaning Without Insurance
Prophylaxis dental cleanings, or preventative cleanings, are different than deep cleanings (also known as scaling and root planing).
If scaling and root planing are required, that normally costs around $150-$300 per quadrant. Given that there are four quadrants in the mouth (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left), that puts the cost of a deep cleaning somewhere around the neighborhood of $600-$1,200, on average.
Learn more about what to expect during a cleaning at The Super Dentists’ Teeth Cleaning page.
Deterred By Cleaning Costs? Here’s Why Skipping Cleanings Can Cost You More in the Long Run
When living paycheck-to-paycheck, especially in an area as expensive as San Diego, it can be tempting to skip routine dental cleanings. After all, what’s the impact, right?
This is the wrong approach. Skipping cleanings and avoiding daily brushing and flossing often leads to far more expensive and invasive procedures later on. Here’s what can happen if you skip cleanings:
- Plaque hardens into tartar, which brushing doesn’t remove
- Gum inflammation (Gingivitis) develops
- Periodontitis may develop from unchecked Gingivitis, destroying bone and gum tissue and leading to irreversible damage
- Tooth decay may go unnoticed for months or years
- Tooth loss and infections may follow
Even deep cleaning seems cheap in contrast to the cost of treatments necessary to remedy some of the above issues.
- Crowns often cost $800-$2,500 each
- Periodontal surgery can run you as much as $3,000+
- Dental implants can cost $3,000-$5,000+ each
- Root canal often costs up to $1,500
In short, investing in a $100-$150 cleaning every 6-12 months could help you save thousands in the long run.
What’s more, money aside, regular checkups alongside cleanings are essential for early detection of issues. For example, a small cavity can be filled cheaply before it spreads and results in the necessity of a tooth extraction.
How to Save Money on Dental Cleaning Without Insurance
At The Super Dentists, we offer a Super Smile Savings Plan for patients without insurance, which includes:
- Two dental cleanings per year
- Comprehensive exams and X-rays for preventative maintenance
- Discounts on additional treatments
For just $99 annually, our membership costs nearly 50% less than the average cost of a single dental cleaning, and you get double the value with two included cleanings! All with no insurance!
It’s truly a win-win. And we made it that way intentionally, to make dental care more affordable and more accessible to all Southern California families.
At the Super Dentists, Affording Dental Cleaning with No Insurance is Possible
Accessing dental care without any insurance often feels intimidating, but it doesn’t have to.
The reality is that routine dental cleaning is not only essential, but far more affordable than other procedures that often ensue from avoiding routine cleanings!
Plus, at The Super Dentists, we offer flexible subscription plans (along with payment plans if that’s not your thing) to make taking care of you and your family’s teeth easier to swallow.
Don’t wait until something hurts or your tooth falls out to go to the dentist. Schedule cleaning now.
