How long does a professional dental cleaning take?

Depending on the treatment steps and the equipment used, the duration of professional tooth cleaning can vary. There are practices that include applications with Airflow that last longer than a classic cleaning. Airflow is comparable to a sandblasting device, in which a particle-air mixture removes stubborn stains from the teeth.

Another factor that influences the duration is the general state of the patient’s dental health. If oral hygiene is good and the patient regularly cares for his teeth, the cleaning process is much faster than for patients whose dental care skills are limited. In case of inflammatory diseases of the gums or periodontium, heavy bleeding and a high number of plaque deposits can prolong the duration of professional tooth cleaning.

In general, the time required for cleaning must be at least one hour. If oral hygiene is poor, the application can also be prolonged considerably. Often a control examination by the dentist is followed, which takes another half hour.

PriceCosts

Professional tooth cleaning” (PCR for short) is the most important method for preventing diseases within the oral cavity, in addition to daily oral hygiene. It is carried out exclusively in the dental practice by the dentist himself or specially trained staff and the cleaning performance goes far beyond what the patient can achieve on his own. Especially the careful cleaning of the interdental spaces (interdental spaces) and the gumline is very difficult for most patients.

But exactly these dirt niches form ideal breeding grounds for bacteria, which settle and multiply there and damage both the tooth and the gums through their waste products. Carious defects, gum inflammation, inflammation of the periodontium (for example periodontitis) and/or other diseases are the result. Especially older people should therefore have their teeth cleaned professionally on a regular basis.

The costs of a professional tooth cleaning vary in Germany between 40 and 150 euros, it is therefore worthwhile to compare the prices in different dental practices. However, the quality and time required also varies. The patient should be aware that good quality usually has its price.

It is often the case that cheap dental cleanings are carried out less carefully and extensively. Therefore, not only the costs should influence the decision. However, there are also exceptions in this context.

Furthermore, it must be considered how regularly one goes to professional tooth cleaning. If one goes annually, the expenditure is surely smaller like with a “first time”. The statutory health insurance companies (GKV) do not cover the costs of professional tooth cleaning in most cases, only the annual removal of tartar deposits is covered.

The patient has to pay for this prophylaxis measure out of his own pocket and remains on the costs. However, a few health insurance companies have now included professional tooth cleaning in their range of services as a gesture of goodwill. When the invoice is submitted, the costs of professional tooth cleaning are reimbursed. It is therefore worthwhile for the patient to ask his or her own health insurance company whether the dental cleaning is at least partially covered. Supplementary dental insurances and private health insurances usually cover the entire costs of professional dental cleaning (depending on the agreed tariff).