2026 Pricing Guide
A scaling and root planing (SRP), commonly called a deep cleaning, is a specialized dental procedure designed for patients with active periodontal (gum) disease. Unlike the routine preventive cleanings you schedule every six months, a deep cleaning goes beneath the gumline to remove bacteria, tartar, and infected tissue from the deep pockets surrounding your tooth roots.
Unfortunately, dental insurance does not cover the full cost of a deep cleaning the way it covers preventive cleanings. Some patients delay or avoid scheduling an SRP because of the associated cost. At Summerlin Dental Solutions, we believe cost should never stand between you and a healthy smile, which is why we offer 0% interest financing through HFD and accept most major dental insurance plans.
This guide explains what a deep cleaning costs with and without insurance, the factors that influence pricing, and how you can save significantly on this essential procedure.
Do I Need a Deep Cleaning?
To understand why you might need a deep cleaning, it helps to understand what a standard preventive cleaning does and does not do. A routine prophylaxis (cleaning) focuses on maintaining oral health by removing plaque and tartar from the surfaces of your teeth above the gumline. It does not address the deep pockets below the gumline where active infection and significant tartar buildup live.
If your dentist identifies signs of disease in those deep pockets, performing “just a regular cleaning” would be a form of controlled neglect. Your dentist and hygienist will recommend a scaling and root planing procedure to bring your mouth back to a disease-free state.
You likely need a deep cleaning if you have any of the following:
- Periodontal (gum) pockets measuring 5 millimeters or deeper
- Heavy tartar accumulation on the root surfaces of your teeth
- Swollen, red, or bleeding gums
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Persistent bad breath (halitosis) that does not improve with brushing
- Bone loss visible on dental X-rays
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we encourage you to schedule an evaluation at our office. Dr. Marianne Cohan uses AI-assisted diagnostics and 3D cone beam CT imaging to accurately assess the extent of gum disease and create a personalized treatment plan.
Factors That Affect Deep Cleaning Cost
The cost of a dental deep cleaning varies based on several factors specific to your situation. Understanding these variables will help you anticipate what your investment will look like.
1. Number of Quadrants Being Treated
During a deep cleaning, your mouth is divided into four quadrants (upper right, upper left, lower right, lower left), with each quadrant treated individually. Most patients with periodontal disease require treatment in all four quadrants. However, if your infection is localized to one or two areas, your cost will be proportionally lower.
2. Number of Teeth Per Quadrant
A full quadrant contains seven teeth (eight if you still have your wisdom teeth). If you are missing teeth or if only a few teeth in a quadrant are affected, the cost may be adjusted. Pricing typically falls into two categories: “four or more teeth” or “fewer than four teeth” per quadrant.
3. Total Number of Appointments
A deep cleaning is almost always completed over two visits: one for each half of your mouth. This allows your hygienist to work thoroughly with specialized instruments while keeping you comfortable. Additional appointments increase the total cost, particularly if sedation or additional anesthesia is needed at each visit.
4. Sedation Preferences
Some patients prefer mild sedation during their deep cleaning for comfort. At Summerlin Dental Solutions, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Nitrous oxide is the most cost-effective option, typically adding $20 to $40 per appointment. Oral and IV sedation options cost more but provide deeper relaxation for patients with significant dental anxiety.
5. Whether a Debridement Is Needed First
Before your insurance company approves a deep cleaning, your dentist must submit a detailed periodontal chart and a full-mouth series of X-rays. If the tartar buildup on your teeth is so heavy that your dentist cannot see the gum tissue well enough to take accurate measurements, a preliminary debridement may be necessary. This is not a cleaning. It is a rapid removal of thick tartar deposits so an accurate assessment can be performed. The debridement adds a separate charge to your total.
6. Ongoing Periodontal Maintenance
Periodontal disease is a chronic condition. After your initial deep cleaning, your regular cleanings will be classified as “periodontal maintenance” rather than “preventive prophylaxis.” This distinction matters for insurance billing: periodontal maintenance visits are coded differently, and your out-of-pocket cost for each follow-up visit may be higher than what you were accustomed to paying for standard preventive cleanings. At Summerlin Dental Solutions, we create a customized maintenance schedule to keep your gum disease under control long-term.
Deep Cleaning Cost Without Insurance
| Treatment Scope | Estimated Cost (No Insurance) |
|---|---|
| Per Quadrant (4+ teeth) | $300 |
| Per Quadrant (fewer than 4 teeth) | $200 |
| Full Mouth (4 quadrants, all teeth) | $800 to $1,800 |
| Full Mouth (fewer than 4 teeth per quadrant) | $600 to $1,200 |
Without insurance, a deep cleaning costs approximately $300 per quadrant if you have all of your teeth. The exact amount varies by geographic area. In the Las Vegas and Summerlin area, pricing typically falls within the ranges shown above. Quadrants with fewer than four affected teeth are priced lower, usually around $200 per quadrant.
No Insurance? No Problem.
Summerlin Dental Solutions offers a Dental Savers Plan for patients without insurance, providing significant discounts on deep cleanings and all other dental services. We also offer 0% interest financing through HFD with approval in under a minute and no credit score impact. Call +1(702) 341-9160 to learn more.
Deep Cleaning Cost With Insurance
| Treatment Scope | Estimated Cost (With Insurance) |
|---|---|
| Per Quadrant | $150 to $200 |
| Full Mouth (4 quadrants) | $400 to $900 |
Most dental insurance plans cover deep cleanings at approximately 50%, which is a significant drop from the 100% coverage most patients are accustomed to for routine preventive cleanings. This is because insurance companies classify preventive and therapeutic procedures differently. Preventive cleanings are maintenance. A deep cleaning is treatment for an active infection.
No two dental insurance plans are identical. Your specific coverage depends on the plan your employer selected or the plan you purchased individually. Our team at Summerlin Dental Solutions verifies your benefits before treatment begins and provides a clear, itemized breakdown of what your insurance covers and what your out-of-pocket responsibility will be. There are never any surprises.
Important: If you are accustomed to paying nothing for routine cleanings and suddenly face a $400 to $900 bill for a deep cleaning, the sticker shock is understandable. Remember that this is not a maintenance cleaning. It is a therapeutic procedure to treat a bacterial infection in your gums. Delaying treatment only allows the infection to worsen, leading to more expensive procedures down the road, including tooth extractions, dental implants, and dentures.
What Happens If You Skip Your Deep Cleaning?
The cost of an SRP is the number one reason patients delay treatment. Some ask their insurance company to approve “just a regular cleaning” instead, or they call around looking for a cheaper office. Unfortunately, there is no shortcut for treating active gum disease.
When you have active periodontal disease and do not get a deep cleaning, the bacteria living beneath your gums continue to spread and destroy the bone and tissue that support your teeth. Over time, your teeth become loose, shift out of position, and eventually fall out. It is not a question of “if” but “when.” The longer you wait, the greater the chance that the infection will become impossible to control without more invasive (and more expensive) procedures like extractions, bridges, dental implants, or full-arch All-on-4 restorations.
The damage does not stop at your mouth. Decades of peer-reviewed research have established clear links between severe gum disease and a range of serious systemic health conditions, including:
- Cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, stroke, and heart attack
- Diabetes (gum disease makes blood sugar harder to control, and uncontrolled blood sugar worsens gum disease, creating a vicious cycle)
- Infertility in both men and women
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pregnancy complications including preeclampsia and preterm labor
- Respiratory infections including pneumonia
The good news: once the infection in your mouth is treated, your immune system strengthens and your body is better equipped to manage these underlying conditions. A deep cleaning is not just a dental investment. It is a whole-body health investment.
How to Afford a Deep Cleaning
Whether or not you have insurance, Summerlin Dental Solutions offers multiple ways to make your deep cleaning affordable:
Dental Savers Plan
Our in-house Dental Savers Plan is designed for individuals and families without dental insurance. Members receive 10% to 60% off the standard cost of dental care, including deep cleanings, crowns, veneers, cosmetic procedures, and more. Call +1(702) 341-9160 to learn about enrollment.
0% Interest Financing
Through our partnership with HFD (Healthcare Finance Direct), you can finance your deep cleaning with 0% interest, approval in under a minute, and no impact to your credit score. We also accept CareCredit, all major credit cards, and HSA/FSA accounts. Our financial coordinator presents all options with patience and zero pressure.
What to Expect During Your Deep Cleaning
If you are preparing for your first deep cleaning, here is what the experience looks like at our Summerlin office:
Your deep cleaning will typically be completed over two appointments, with one side of your mouth cleaned at each visit. This allows your hygienist to work thoroughly with specialized instruments on areas that are difficult to access while keeping you comfortable.
Before treatment begins, Dr. Cohan uses our 3D cone beam CT scanner and AI-assisted diagnostics to map the exact location and severity of the infection, ensuring treatment is precisely targeted.
A local anesthetic will numb the side of your mouth being treated so you feel only gentle pressure during the procedure. If you prefer additional relaxation, nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation are all available. At Summerlin Dental Solutions, we see one patient at a time, which means there is no rush, no noise from other patients, and no divided attention from your care team.
After your deep cleaning, it is normal to experience some tenderness and sensitivity in the treated area. The calcified tartar that had been coating your root surfaces has been removed, temporarily exposing the clean root surface. Using a sensitive-formula toothpaste and a prescription fluoride rinse will help minimize discomfort as the gum tissue heals and tightens around your roots over the following days.
Does a Deep Cleaning Hurt?
Most patients with gum disease have sensitive teeth and gum tissue, which is why local anesthesia is used during the procedure. You should not feel pain during the cleaning itself, only gentle pressure. After the anesthetic wears off, some mild soreness at the injection sites and sensitivity in the cleaned areas is normal and typically resolves within a few days.
If dental anxiety is a concern for you, our sedation dentistry options ensure you can be completely relaxed throughout the procedure. Many patients tell us that the anticipation was far worse than the actual experience, especially in our calm, private, one-patient-at-a-time environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deep Cleaning Cost
Is a deep cleaning the same as a regular cleaning?
No. A regular preventive cleaning (prophylaxis) removes plaque and tartar from above the gumline and is designed for patients with healthy gums. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes below the gumline to remove bacteria and infected tissue from deep periodontal pockets. It is a therapeutic procedure for active gum disease.
Can I just get a regular cleaning instead of a deep cleaning?
If your dentist has diagnosed active periodontal disease, performing a regular cleaning would leave the infection untreated. This is considered a standard-of-care issue: ethically, your dental team cannot perform a lesser procedure when a more thorough treatment is medically necessary.
How often will I need periodontal maintenance after my deep cleaning?
Most patients require periodontal maintenance visits every three to four months instead of the standard six-month interval. This more frequent schedule helps keep the infection under control and prevents recurrence.
Does Summerlin Dental Solutions accept my insurance for deep cleanings?
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment and provides an itemized estimate so you know exactly what to expect. Contact us to verify your specific plan.
Do Not Let Deep Cleaning Cost Deter You
Your smile is a lifetime investment. If the only thing standing between you and a healthy mouth is the cost of a deep cleaning, please know that there are options. Our 0% interest financing, Dental Savers Plan, and insurance coordination are designed to make treatment accessible. Your oral health affects your entire body, and the relatively modest investment in a deep cleaning today will save you from far more expensive procedures in the years ahead.
At Summerlin Dental Solutions, Dr. Marianne Cohan and our team see one patient at a time, giving you the unhurried, personal attention your dental health deserves. We proudly serve patients from across the Las Vegas Valley, including Henderson, Spring Valley, Centennial Hills, Paradise, Sun City Summerlin, Downtown Summerlin, and all surrounding communities.
Ready to Schedule Your Deep Cleaning?
Call +1(702) 341-9160 or request an appointment online. We will verify your insurance, explain all costs upfront, and help you find the most affordable path to a healthier smile.
About Dr. Marianne Cohan
Dr. Marianne Cohan is a 19-time Best of Las Vegas winner (Best Dentist, Best Cosmetic Dentist, Best Dental Office, and Best Customer Service) as voted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992 and holds accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE).
With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete smile makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and uses the latest technological advances including digital radiography, AI-assisted diagnostics, CBCT cone beam imaging, and laser technology. She is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.
