Teeth cleaning and deep cleaning in Lower Manhattan, NYC

A routine cleaning runs 45 to 60 minutes. A deep cleaning (scaling-and-root-planing) is typically 60 to 90 minutes per side and split across two visits under local anesthesia. As a new patient, add about 30 minutes at your first visit for X-rays and a comprehensive periodontal exam, which is where the charting that guides everything begins.

A routine cleaning (prophylaxis) costs less than a deep cleaning, and scaling-and-root-planing is billed per quadrant, so the total depends on how many quadrants need treatment. We won't quote a number blind — you'll leave your visit with a written estimate for your specific case before any treatment beyond a basic cleaning, along with a clear look at what your insurance may contribute and any financing options.

Most PPO dental plans cover two routine cleanings per year, often at 80 to 100% with no deductible. Scaling-and-root-planing is usually covered at a lower percentage and may apply to your deductible. Centre Dental is non-participating with most PPO plans — you pay us directly and submit for out-of-network reimbursement — and we file the claim for you with an itemized receipt. We'll help you read your benefits before anything is scheduled.

Because your periodontal chart shows pocket depths of 4 mm or greater, or bleeding on probing — clinical signs that bacteria are colonizing below the gum line where a routine cleaning instrument can't reach. A regular prophylaxis on inflamed gums treats the visible part and leaves the cause untouched. We'll show you the exact charting numbers so you can see what's being measured; the recommendation comes from millimeters, not a sales target.

A routine cleaning is generally comfortable, with at most mild gum tenderness for a day. Deep cleanings are performed under local anesthesia and may leave two to three days of gum soreness and temporary cold sensitivity as the tissue heals against the newly cleaned roots. Sensitivity from exposed root surfaces usually settles within a few weeks, and a desensitizing toothpaste helps in the meantime. If you're anxious about the visit itself, our approach to dental anxiety can make it easier.

Every six months is the default for healthy mouths, but it's a starting point, not a rule. Patients with periodontal history, diabetes, smoking, or extensive dental work are usually placed on a three- or four-month recall, which periodontal maintenance research supports. Patients with consistently healthy charting may be safe at a nine- or twelve-month interval. The right schedule comes from your charting at the most recent visit — we'd rather set it by measurement than by calendar.

Yes. Routine cleanings during pregnancy are recommended, because pregnancy hormones increase gum inflammation and consistent hygiene reduces that risk. According to PubMed, a randomized controlled trial found that essential dental treatment — including scaling-and-root-planing with local anesthesia — at 13 to 21 weeks' gestation was not associated with an increased risk of serious adverse events or adverse pregnancy outcomes. The second trimester is generally the most comfortable window for non-urgent care, and we adjust positioning to keep you comfortable.

Plaque you can't fully remove hardens into calculus below the gum line, inflammation becomes chronic, and pockets deepen — and because it rarely hurts, most people don't notice until a tooth loosens or a gum recedes. At that point, bone has usually been lost, and bone doesn't regenerate on its own. It's still very much worth coming in: we'll chart where things stand, likely start with scaling-and-root-planing, and build a maintenance interval to stabilize what you have. Sooner is always easier than later, but later still beats never.