Gum disease is a very common oral health issue; it affects nearly half of adults in the U.S.! If you are diagnosed with this condition, you might be able to reverse it by adjusting your at-home oral care routine. However, you may also need a professional treatment known as scaling and root planing (SRP). What does SRP involve, and how much does it cost? This blog post provides some important information.
What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is essentially a deep cleaning of your mouth. During scaling, your dentist or hygienist uses a special instrument to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, both above the gumline and in any gum pockets that have formed. Then, during root planing, the roots of the teeth are smoothed out so it is more difficult for bacteria to stick to them. SRP, along with diligent oral hygiene at home, can get rid of active gum disease.
How Much Does It Cost?
SRP is a non-surgical procedure, so it costs less than many invasive treatment options. However, it can still amount to a significant bill. The total price depends on how many teeth need to be treated, and it is usually charged per quadrant of the mouth.
For example, if you have just two teeth in one area of your mouth where there is an active infection, the total cost of your SRP might be somewhere between $150 and $300 (not including additional fees, such as sedation, anesthesia, and your initial oral exam). If the infection is affecting most of the gum tissue throughout your mouth, you might have to pay a couple of hundred dollars per quadrant. That may amount to a total charge of $800 or more.
Of course, those numbers are very rough estimates. Your dental team can provide you with a personalized price estimate during your consultation.
Does Insurance Cover Scaling and Root Planing?
Many insurance companies do cover SRP. Here are a few notes to keep in mind about how your coverage might apply:
- You might receive 50% coverage for your procedure, up to the amount of your plan’s annual maximum.
- Your insurance company might require preauthorization for your SRP. Ask your dental team if they can help with this.
- If you are worried about exceeding your annual maximum, you might be able to get two quadrants done toward the end of the calendar year and the rest of your mouth treated at the beginning of the next year. That can allow you to utilize two annual maximums instead of just one.
Other Ways to Pay
Many dental practices have provisions beyond insurance that can make treatment affordable. Ask if they accept financing or have an in-house discount plan that you can sign up for.
SRP might seem pricey, but it can preserve your oral health and prevent the need for much more expensive treatments! Truly, it is an excellent value for your smile and your wallet.
Meet the Practice
At Dental Center Aspen Hill, we are proud to provide a wide range of oral health services for our community, including scaling and root planing and other forms of gum disease treatment. We welcome insurance and have a convenient in-house discount plan. Financing is also available for most patients. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, contact our team at 301-871-800.