Deep Cleaning, always a scam?
 

I went to Lake Sumter Dentistry yesterday for my free exam and x-rays.

I was told that I needed a deep cleaning and root scaling.

I was having work done at another dentist but got tired of driving an hour to Ocala so I thought I'd try someone new. My wife began going there and she likes them.

My dentist in Ocala never mentioned anything about deep cleaning. The dentist at LSD says that he can't tell if I have any cavities until the heavy stains are removed. That sounds absurd to me. My Ocala dentist was able to see minor decay from the x-rays.

I now that some people on here have recommended Lake Sumter, but I got really concerned when they mentioned "deep cleaning" which I've often heard is a scam.

I made an appointment for this deep cleaning, but I intend to cancel it.

Any opinions or suggestion would be appreciated.

Any cavity can be see with an X-ray. It’s a scam.



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Not sure if ANY cavity can be seen. Consider:

Dental x-rays are not perfect detection tools. They are just that—tools. That means that occasionally you could have a condition that does not readily show itself in our digital imaging.

A few explanations may be accurate. First, your cavity may be so small it did not show up on your dental x-rays. A very small cavity has not yet caused enough damage to be visible through x-ray technology.

Secondly, your cavity could be hiding behind an existing filling. When you get decay near an existing filling, we call this secondary decay. Fillings are opaque and may actually block out part of your tooth from being x-rayed, rendering it invisible.

Thirdly, your teeth could overlap. If you have very close teeth, taking an x-ray without overlap may be impossible. Additionally, when you have very close teeth, getting decay between them is more likely.

I "enjoy" a deep cleaning.
Not exactly enjoyable during, but after I'm very glad.

Dr Maria Luong- Serenity Dental Spa
No such nonsense . Integrity, skill, great office staff,
fair pricing. Wife and I have been with her for 6 yrs. Extensive work for both. Totally satisfied.

Every cleaning is a "deep cleaning" More a marketing term than an actual procedure.

Sorry, the name of the place is Sumter Landing Dental and the dentist's name is David Price.

Are you a dentist? If all this is true, why did my Ocala dentist not have any problem seeing what is going on?

If you've ever had periodontal issues, the deep cleaning may be needed.

They're also talking about root scaling.

Maybe your dentist didn't see "what is going on".

All I said was CONSIDER.


Thought you said, "Any opinions or suggestion would be appreciated. "
Guess not.

Dr. Boogie
Don't shoot the messenger.

I have worked in the dental field for many years and yes, a deep cleaning and root planing are often needed. I cannot say whether YOU need it or not. Some dentist are more aggressive in this area and some use it to increase revenue. Perhaps you should get another opinion. Another poster suggest Dr Maria Luong and I must second that recommendation. Many people need a deep cleaning and it is not a scam but if you don’t need it...well it will only hurt your pocket book.

All deep cleanings are not a scam. Periodontal disease starts around the necks of teeth as gingivitis or an inflammation of the gingival tissues (gums). Gingivitis usually causes slightly enlarged gums, often reddened in color and often bleeding especially when brushing or flossing. Gingivitis can usually be treated by a routine dental cleaning, improved efficiency of tooth brushing, and effective flossing of the teeth. Sometimes oral rinses are indicated. Gingivitis is caused by bacteria that reside in the dental plaque that accumulates on our teeth. Gingivitis is diagnosed by a clinical exam that includes periodontal probing around the teeth.

Deep cleaning, which includes root planing (root scaling) is indicated if periodontal probing around the necks of the teeth discovers "pockets" between the gingival (gum) tissue and the root surface of the teeth and/or if the probing elicits bleeding or discovers calculus (tartar) on the surface of the root in the pocket. A pocket is a deepened space between the gum tissue and the root surface. Deepened space means more than three or four millimeters in depth. "Pockets" are caused by inflammation due to bacterial plaque accumulation on the root surface and on the calculus A pocket is discovered by periodontal probing. As "pockets" grow deeper from periodontal disease, bone loss occurs around the roots of the teeth. A Periodontist is a dental specialist that treats periodontal disease and other periodontal conditions.

I would ask why the deep cleaning/root scaling is necessary. The indications are the presence of one or more of the following: pockets with or without bone loss, bleeding on probing, and/or detectable plaque or calculus on the root surface in the pocket.

It is not a scam. As we get older, gums recede. The deep cleaning and scaling will slow the process. I finally had one 2 years ago and very glad I did. No other dentist ever suggested it. It was not pleasant and they found several pockets even though I did not have one cavity. This is a gum procedure. I am going to research your new dentist and may have them do another deep cleaning and scaling.

There are many goals, as people, that we all share irrespective of our ideologies, national origin, etc.

One of those shared goals is that we all work to leave this earth with as many body parts intact as possible. that said

No one so far as mentioned "pockets" Dentist/hygienist measure pockets in the gums 4+ measurement is a concern and hence a recommendation for scaling/deep cleaning is recommence and should continue until the pockets have been reduced

Mt dentist retired a year ago. My dental hygienist was the best i ever met. she left because the dentist retired. the new dental office was horrible so I moved to a dentist in Lake Sumter Landing. My wife likes the clinic, I do not and its not because they are doing more is because they appear to be doing less and I want to leave this earth with my teeth intact

P.S. I am not a dentist:D

I agree. Our Dental Hygienist has taught me a lot about what happens with our gums. At first I thought her cleaning method was uncomfortable but she has really taken the time to guide me toward more careful care of my mouth.

We go to Palm Ridge Dental and our hygienist is Susan.
She is very skilled and kind. AND very through.

If deep cleaning is not a scam, it is definitely a ripoff. The Village Dental hygienist wanted $1100 for a 90 minute deep cleaning procedure. I went to Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg and he said I did not need any deep cleaning procedures. Dentists in The Villages seem to want to push deep cleaning as a way to increase profits. How can you justify $1100 for a procedure that is not even performed by a dentist?

I've been going to Village Dental since we got here, about 4 years. They done a ton of work on my teeth... no deep cleaning/scaling though.

But I have to say my teeth are in the best shape they have been in, in 30 years. I haven't had an issue with them that made me have call for an appointment... just regularly scheduled cleaning and checkups.

My dentist from before we came here was very good but he was very low key and would never push anything and I just ignored things, like occasional aches and gum bleeding now and then.

He'd always ask if I had any issues, of course, but I just say something like "No, not really", just to put things off... until a tooth broke or a filling fell out and then I'd end up needing a root canal and a crown. So maybe I was a bit to blame for the teeth issues I had over the years.

I think Village Dental is doing a great job on my teeth and I would not switch to another dentist.

I went to a new dentist for the $59.00 special all they wanted to do was sell me all sorts of work on my teeth. Going back to my original dentist Dr Forrest Jerkins. I didn’t go to the new dentist for any reason other then the special offer. Cleaning and panoramic X-rays. I learned my lesson.

Wow, 1100.00 for a deep clean?? Definitely a rip off. I paid an extra 250.00. One should only have the cleaning if they find pockets that need attention. In my case, I was a mess, but the results of treatment was great. I will be careful not be "taken."

This is exactly what a friend back home who is a dental technician told me. Her dentist rarely sees a need, and if he does it's real. But prior places she worked at sold deep cleanings and root scaling like a drive-thru attendant selling fries with that burger.

The dentist that I chose had a staff that seemed to always "up sell'. One staff member told me I needed to have X-rays, and when I refused she said" it's required by state law"! I knew this to be false and continued to refuse this service. When I protested to the Hygenist she said that the dentist "had incurred a huge expense to be able to provide His services." I found a new dentist real quick.

I feel your pain, when a dentist here in the Villages sees my mouth the $$$$ start to flash in their eyes. I was given an estimate of $19,000 dollars and a lady with book in hand, came into me in the chair to start making appointments. When I said I couldn't spend $19,000 she said well we could break that into two parts and start with the $12,000 part. wondering which of us was loosing it first, I fled the scene.
The dentist I felt most comfortable with Dr. Maria Luong at Serenity Dentist and Spa in Spanish Springs. 350 1933 :thumbup:

I was told that I need deep cleaning and root scaling because of staining. I drink a lot of tea and the dentist claimed that he couldn't see if I had any cavities because of the staining. I saw my previous dentist about two months ago and he was able to see every bit of decay.

It seems that there might be a reason for deep cleaning and root scaling, but to remove stains in order to see cavities doesn't seem like a reasonable reason.

I'm going to try another dentist.

"Are you a dentist? If all this is true, why did "...........?

Oh, never mind............that would be rude to say that.

Trust me as a dental professional..just like anything...deep cleaning is NOT a scam and is often very important to your dental health. I can also tell you that unfortunately it is often recommended but not always needed. Get a second opinion.

Very informative post. Thank you!

When it comes to deep scaling, a hygienist may very well be more skilled than a dentist. They may very well be better trained to do that procedure than a dentist and may very well have more experience doing the procedure. A dentist's time is better spent doing restorative work. Whether the cost is reasonable and whether the procedure was called for is another issue. I don't have a problem with the most qualified, and cost effective, people doing medical and dental procedures.

I don't mind paying a fair profit for a necessary procedure. But, I was quoted $1100 to deep clean only 3 quarters of my mouth with a procedure that was to take less than 2 hours by a dental hygienist. With the average pay for dental hygienists about 35 dollars per hour, the price seemed very excessive. So, I went to another dentist who told me that I didn't need any special deep cleaning, and that they could take care of any cleaning issue during a regular cleaning for which they charge $85.

We go to a trustworthy practice outside of The Villages - my wife doesn't practice anymore and is very particular where we go. PM me if you need a name.

Please try Dr. Robert Lesh at Southern Trace Dental. I have been going to him for years. I have never had him even mention deep cleaning. On occasion, I will have a pocket and they simply fill it with an antibiotic, and that's the end of it.

As for stains, I have never had a problem with their regular cleaning removing coffee stains, etc. That being said, I do have some staining that has been there forever and will still be there when I'm gone. I grew up in Lubbock, TX, and we had artesian well water as our water source....city, not personal. The water there is now from Lake Meredith, a man-made lake created by damming a portion of the Colorado River. The water contained a heavy concentration of natural fluoride which left brown stains in the teeth, not on them. Fortunately, mine are stained in some molars. Many people, like Buddy Holly, have had their teeth capped to cover the stains that were in front and highly visible. The upside of growing up with this water is that I have really sound teeth. Dr. Lesh does x-rays and that's it....at least for me.

As a side note, I have had one cavity in my lifetime thus far. That was filled the week I turned 30. Broke my heart! Believe me, I am WELL past 30 now.:MOJE_whot:

I had trouble with my dentist complaining about tea staining as well until I started using Arm & Hammer "Truly Radiant" toothpaste and mouthwash. You may want to give it a try.
--
Bob C

Deep Cleaning, always a scam?
 

I have been using a dentist in NJ for the last 10 years. I am also very lucky to have good teeth in that I have only had 3 cavities in my lifetime. When I moved to Florida 4 years ago, I went to Aspen Dental on Rt. 441 for X-rays and a cleaning. After the X-rays and being looked at by a technician, I was brought to a person who was going to explain the work that I needed.

I was told that I needed a deep cleaning which would cost about $4000. However, I was told not to worry since my insurance would pay for half of it. I indicated that I would think about it and I then just wanted my teeth cleaned. They would not do this until I had the deep cleaning done. After arguing for 10 minutes, which included talking with the office manager, I left.

On my next visit to NJ, I went back to my former dentist who took x-rays and did a complete exam of my mouth. He said everything looked good and I had my teeth cleaned as usual. I have been back to my NJ dentist 6 times since I moved to Florida and he has never found a cavity, nor has he said I needed a deep cleaning.

Since moving to TV, I have found that many doctors seem to send their patients for many tests that, IMHO, are unnecessary. Many senior citizens are reluctant to question doctors and dentists and accept whatever they are told by these professionals. I always suggest that my friends get a second opinion if they are not sure about the first opinion.

It is not much different than the car buying experiences I have had since moving to Florida. See my thread, “Florida Car Dealer Fees”.

deep cleaning teth
 

I am not a dentist but like others when moving into the area looking for dental care , we went to a hjghly recommended dentist. After the preliminaryexam they suggested deep cleaning and suggested watching a video outlining the need for it. My wife watched and was convinced of the need ,I declined and told the dentist I only wanted my teeth cleaned at that point I was informed they did not do "just" a cleaning. We left and did not have the very expensive procedure done. We had a very competent denist in Ohio and the "deep cleaning" was never mentioned being needed. After using my original teeth for 76 years without a "deep cleaning" i'm pretty sure it wouldn't help me only pay the dentist Mercedes payment

As for the deep cleaning, I had it done once and had all sorts of problems with my gums. Swore that I would not have it done again. We are moving from Melbourne, Fl to The Villages. Several of the dentists in Melbourne practice the deep cleaning process. I did find one that does the basic cleaning. I suggest you ask the dentist office up front if they do basic cleaning if you request it. I never had this problem in PA before moving to FL.
Who is your dentist in Ocala that does basic cleaning?

I had it described as more preventative of future cavaties rsther than finding current ones. I view it as a good idea if you have the money but not an essential. So not a scam per se, but they certainly make a profit. Not all dentists have the staff to offer the service which may explain why it was not suggested earlier

Deep Cleaning
 

I go to three different Dentist and two out three try yo talk you into this. The one I have the most faith in does not.
And she is very through.

Good Morning W.O.Boogie,
I kissed my dentist goodbye and went Natural. Here's what I did. First, I bought myself a jar of virgin Coconut Oil and a jar of tumeric powder at the grocery store. I took a Tablespoon of coconut oil and half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and did an "oil pull". (That means I took a tablespoonful of it and held it in my mouth for 15 minutes.) I did this while I showered. -- That means no singing in the shower THIS morning. The coconut oil pulls out the bacteria and the turmeric heals the inflammation.--And as a bonus, this keeps my teeth nice and white. Email me at joy@villagetweet.com and I'll send you a marvelous toothpaste recipe so that you never have this problem again. Have an absolutely fantastic day! -- Joy -- in The Villages.

My dental knowledge comes from osmosis. Be that as it may, typically cavities are found by x-rays and a physical exam of your mouth. Deep scaling is basically done in response to periodontal problems. A reputable practice will recommend the procedure when it is called for and will have hygienists who are capable of performing the procedure. Serious issues may require that you see a specialist - a periodontist. I really can't see a practice telling you it is "a good idea", per se. They should be "charting" your mouth and providing you a treatment plan that you are free to either implement or not. They do this so as to create a paper trail to document that they have diagnosed any issues you have and informed you of what is needed to address those issues. For example, my dentist doesn't present it as "a good idea" - it is either called for or not. Finding a good practice (and knowing whether it is a good practice) may take some research.

If you are one of the fortunate few with zero decay, rock solid gums, and don't build up tarter then good luck with never seeing a dentist again. As for the rest of us ....

If you really want to help your mouth, get an electronic toothbrush, a water pick, and dental floss and use them daily, and find a dentist you trust.