I had a deep cleaning, was it a scam?

Question

I just had a "deep cleaning" with a dentist, it was my first visit to him and he urged me to get it. I had read online that deep cleaning must include root planing

So what actually happened? the dentist performed sonic scaling of my teeth and gums. No anesthesia. I've had a sonic cleaning before AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!

I am under the impression that planing requires a different tool than a scaler....right?

And if sonic scaling = deep cleaning then why does that change the price from free (100% covered) to $95 (80% covered)?

Answer 1

JORGE:

THERE ARE VARIOUS PROBLEMS HERE, BUT THE BIGGEST ONE IS TERMINOLOGY.
FIRST A DENTAL CLEANING IS KNOWN AS A PROPHYLAXIS AND HAS THE DENTAL CODE #1120.
A PERIODONTAL SCALING IS KNOWN AS SUBGINGIVAL CURETTAGE, AND AS THE DENTAL CODE #4341.

THE USE OF THE SONIC INSTRUMENT CAN BE DONE IN EITHER PROCEDURE, BUT THE SCALING AND ROOT PLANING OF TEETH IS ALWAYS DONE WITH SPECIALIZED HAND INSTRUMENTS CALLED CURETTES AND/OR SCALERS.

IF THE DENTIST DIDN'T USE HAND INSTRUMENTS AND GIVE YOU ANESTHESIA HE DIDN'T SCALE YOUR TEETH.
THE SCALING AND CURETTAGE CAN ONLY BE DONE WITH HAND INSTRUMENTS.

THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING IT ALL IS TO SEE WHAT IS WRITTEN ON THE E.O.B. FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A PROPHYLAXIS MAY BE COVERED AT 100%. A PERIODONTAL SCALING IS 50 %.

Answer 2

Deep Cleaning Scam

Answer 3

Deep cleaning is to aid gum repair. Dentists only do the deep cleaning if you have gum disease, or plaque below the gum line. Also, if you have deep pockets around your teeth. Once the gums heal, the pockets aren't as deep. It's in no way a scam, and is only done for people who need it.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
I had a deep cleaning, was it a scam?
I just had a "deep cleaning" with a dentist, it was my first visit to him and he urged me to get it. I had read online that deep cleaning must include root planing

So what actually happened? the dentist performed sonic scaling of my teeth and gums. No anesthesia. I've had a sonic...

Answer 5

Your dentist may think it is a special thing he has the patients get, and think that the price is just dandy. However, you are smarter than that. Next time, find out if your insurance covers a procedure before you agree to it, and check to see what would be covered in its place. I know it is hard to guess what a dentist may mean by procedures we have already heard about, so, it is always a good idea to have the dentist explain what WILL be done in the process.