Deep Cleaning Cost in 2026: Scaling and Root Planing Prices

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Prices checked October 22, 2026. By Lorenzo Beux.

Short answer: A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) costs $220 to $570 per quadrant in the US, with a national average of $335. Your mouth has four quadrants, so a full-mouth deep cleaning runs about $880 to $2,280, or roughly $1,340 at the average. Insurance often pays 50% to 80% after the deductible. A dental savings plan can cut the per-quadrant fee roughly in half at participating dentists.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. A plan gives you discounts only at participating dentists. It does not pay the dentist for you, and you pay for all services at the discounted rate. Prices, discounts and dentists vary by plan and ZIP code.

Compare dental savings plans and what you would pay

Deep cleaning prices at a glance

TreatmentCodeTypical US price
Scaling and root planing, 4+ teeth, one quadrantD4341$220–$570, average $335
Full mouth (four quadrants)4 × D4341About $880–$2,280, average about $1,340
Same procedure, Orlando, FLD4341$235–$303 per quadrant
Regular adult cleaning, for comparisonD1110$100–$265, average $155
Periodontal maintenance cleaning (sample usual fee)D4910$206
Sources: Pearl national averages from ADA fee survey data (May 2026); Humana pricing tool, Orlando (page updated April 2026); DentalPlans.com sample fee, Houston ZIP 77002 (October 2026). Full-mouth figures are our math: four times the quadrant price.

Why your dentist recommends a deep cleaning

A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar above the gumline. A deep cleaning goes below it. The hygienist scrapes tartar off the tooth roots (scaling). Then they smooth the roots (root planing) so the gums can reattach.

Dentists recommend it when gum disease has moved past the early stage. They measure the space between gum and tooth with a small probe. Mayo Clinic says healthy pockets are usually 1 to 3 mm deep. Pockets deeper than 4 mm may point to periodontitis. Bone loss on X-rays is another common trigger.

This is common. A CDC analysis found that 47.2% of US adults age 30 and older had periodontitis in 2009–2010. NIDCR notes that tartar can only be removed by a professional cleaning. That is why brushing harder at home will not fix deep pockets.

Not sure you need it? Ask to see your pocket chart and X-rays. A good office will walk you through the numbers. If gum disease is still early, a regular cleaning may be enough. Read more in our guide to gum disease treatment costs.

Per quadrant vs full mouth

Dentists bill deep cleaning by quadrant: upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left. Code D4341 covers a quadrant with four or more affected teeth. Pearl notes that most patients need either two or four quadrants.

  • Two quadrants at the $335 average: about $670.
  • Four quadrants at the $335 average: about $1,340.
  • Four quadrants at the high end ($570): about $2,280.

What raises or lowers the price

  • Number of quadrants. This is the biggest factor.
  • Antibiotics placed in pockets. Pearl says these are billed separately per site. Confirm the fee first.
  • Where you live. Fees vary by ZIP code. One Orlando pricing tool shows $235 to $303 per quadrant.
  • Specialist vs general dentist. A periodontist may charge more for advanced cases.
  • Follow-up care. Maintenance cleanings cost more than regular cleanings and continue for years.

Maintenance cleanings after a deep cleaning

A deep cleaning is not a one-time fix. The American Academy of Periodontology says most patients will need ongoing maintenance therapy. Pearl says patients typically return every 3 to 4 months. Many stay on that schedule for life.

Periodontal maintenance (D4910) is billed at a higher rate than a regular cleaning. One sample usual fee is $206, versus $137 for a regular adult cleaning at the same ZIP. At four visits a year, that is about $824 a year without a plan or insurance.

With dental insurance

Many plans pay 100% for preventive care, 80% for basic work and 50% for major work. Pearl says most PPO plans cover scaling and root planing at 50% to 80% after the deductible. Your dentist usually has to document gum disease with measurements and X-rays. Some plans require pre-authorization.

Watch your yearly maximum. ADA News reports that 32.8% of plans cap benefits at $1,000 to $1,500 a year. Another 48.2% cap them at $1,500 to $2,500. Some plans also have waiting periods for non-preventive work. See our guides to dental insurance and plans with no waiting period.

With a dental savings plan

A savings plan is a membership, not insurance. You pay a yearly fee and get set prices at participating dentists. There is no yearly maximum, no deductible and no waiting period once the plan is active. Sample published fees:

Plan (yearly fee)Deep cleaning, per quadrantMaintenance cleaning
Aetna Dental Access ($154.95 + $20 setup)$362 → $167$206 → $73
Aetna Vital Savings ($184.95 + $20 setup)$355 → $120Not listed in our sample
Usual fee → plan fee. Sample general-dentist fees on DentalPlans.com, Houston ZIP 77002 and Kansas ZIP 67570, checked October 22, 2026. Fees vary by dentist and ZIP code.

Compare plans in our list of the best dental savings plans, or read savings plan vs insurance.

Worked example: four quadrants plus a year of maintenance

Say your dentist recommends all four quadrants, then maintenance every three months.

  • No coverage, usual fees: 4 × $362 = $1,448, plus 3 maintenance visits × $206 = $618. Total: $2,066.
  • With Aetna Dental Access: 4 × $167 = $668, plus 3 × $73 = $219, plus $174.95 in plan fees. Total: $1,061.95.

That is about $1,004 less in the first year in this sample. Your own dentist’s fees may differ, so ask for a written estimate.

Ways to pay less

  • Get a written estimate with codes. Ask for D4341 per quadrant and any antibiotic fees listed separately.
  • Join a savings plan before treatment. Plans activate in one to two business days.
  • Try a dental school. Students treat patients under supervision, often for lower fees.
  • Check community health centers. Many charge on a sliding scale by income. See free and low-cost dental care.
  • Ask for the cash price. Some offices discount for payment at the time of service.
  • Ask about a payment plan. Some offices split the cost across visits. Medical credit cards exist too; read the interest terms first.
  • Use an HSA or FSA. Humana notes these can pay for medically necessary scaling and root planing.

No insurance at all? Start with dental care without insurance.

When to see a dentist

See a dentist if your gums bleed easily, look red or swollen, or pull away from your teeth. Loose teeth and bad breath that will not go away are also signs, per NIDCR. Gum disease is often painless, so regular checkups matter. Read what bleeding gums can mean.

FAQ

Why does a deep cleaning cost more than a regular cleaning?

It cleans below the gumline and smooths the roots, usually with numbing. It is billed per quadrant, not per visit. A regular cleaning averages $155 nationally; one quadrant of deep cleaning averages $335.

How much is a full-mouth deep cleaning?

About four times the quadrant price. At national figures, that is about $880 to $2,280, or roughly $1,340 at the average.

Does insurance cover a deep cleaning?

Usually in part. Pearl says most PPO plans pay 50% to 80% after the deductible once gum disease is documented. The cost also counts toward your yearly maximum.

Do I really need a deep cleaning?

Your dentist decides based on pocket depth and bone loss on X-rays. Ask to see the measurements. A second opinion is reasonable for a full-mouth plan.

How often will I need maintenance cleanings?

Pearl says patients typically return every 3 to 4 months after a deep cleaning. Your dentist sets the schedule based on how your gums respond.

Is a deep cleaning painful?

Cleveland Clinic notes that deep cleaning is done under local anesthesia, so the area is numbed first. Ask your dentist how your gums may feel afterward.

Related costs: all dental costs, receding gums treatment and tooth extraction.

Dental savings plans are not insurance. They provide discounts at participating providers. You pay the provider directly at the time of service. Prices vary by provider and ZIP code. This page is for information only and is not dental or financial advice.

Sources

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