You should brush your teeth twice a day and visit your dentist twice a year, but why? Not only are these guidelines in place for your oral and overall health, but they can actually save you money.
During a dental check-up, your dentist will complete an examination of your teeth before cleaning them. If you fail to take care of your teeth, you’ll have to spend extra money on additional procedures. If those end up being dental implants, you’ll want to visit this dentist in farmington.
So, how much can you expect to pay for a dental check-up? Keep reading to find out.
The Cost of a Dental Check-Up
During a routine dental check-up, you’ll receive professional teeth cleaning among other things. Some of the factors that affect the costs of a dental check-up include the following:
- Location of the dentist
- Type of cleaning
- Dental insurance
The kind of cleaning you will need depends on your age and oral health status. For children and adults with healthy teeth and gums, general teeth cleaning is all it takes.
Dentists will recommend a deep cleaning that involves scaling and root planning for those with gum disease. If the disease is severe, you might need a local anesthetic to numb the teeth roots and gums.
Your dental check-up cost will increase if periodontal disease is starting to progress in your mouth. You’ll need a professional cleaning treatment to combat this specific issue.
Dental Insurance
If you have dental insurance, you’ll want to make sure the dental practice you choose takes your policy. Dental insurance can greatly reduce the costs of dental check-ups and other dental needs.
On average, a dental check-up can cost anywhere from $75 to $400 for those without insurance. With dental insurance, all cleanings tend to cost less than $100.
Other Factors That Might Affect the Dental Check-Up Price
If you have a family dentist, they’ll always clean your teeth as part of a dental check-up. However, there are other examinations you might need during your visit that can increase the cost.
A dentist will examine your teeth first to look for signs of cavities or infections. If you haven’t been to the dentist in the last 6 months, you might need to complete x-rays on your teeth which could lead to additional costs.
X-rays are used to examine possible tooth decay or damage that a dentist cannot see with the naked eye.
If your dentist finds any issues from the examination results, they’ll suggest the proper treatment. For example, you might have to make an additional appointment for a dental root canal or dental crowns which come at a whole different cost.
During a dental check-up, ask your dentist for oral cancer screening if it is covered by your dental insurance policy. If not, ask them how much they charge for this screening to decide if you can afford it.
What to Expect From a Dental Check-Up
During a dental check-up, you can always expect to have your teeth cleaned with professional tools. X-rays are necessary for those who haven’t made a trip to the dentist in a while.
Although dental insurance plans tend to cover cleanings, they might not cover every aspect of your check-up. To get the best idea of how much you’ll have to come out of pocket, refer back to your policy.
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