[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

We've gone to some who refused to do our free cleaning and insist that we pay out of our pockets for a "deep cleaning". As far as I'm concerned, this is a scam. When I dentist tells me that he can't tell from x-rays whether or not I have a cavity because I have stains on my teeth, I know he is lying.

I've had dentist do a normal cleaning and my teeth looked fine.

I have Humana dental coverage so I need someone that takes that

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

We've gone to some who refused to do our free cleaning and insist that we pay out of our pockets for a "deep cleaning". As far as I'm concerned, this is a scam. When I dentist tells me that he can't tell from x-rays whether or not I have a cavity because I have stains on my teeth, I know he is lying.

I've had dentist do a normal cleaning and my teeth looked fine.

I have Humana dental coverage so I need someone that takes that

Periodontal changes that come with age sometimes dictate a need for deep cleaning.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...111/jcpe.12683

[CFrance]

As always, it's not wise to diagnose thyself. If you've gone to more than one dentist who thinks you need a deep cleaning, perhaps there is some validity to it.

Do a search on here. Many many people have recommended their dentists on this forum as being honest and not upselling. Mine is one--Dr. Novak of Bushnell Family Dentistry. He's not in TV. He's a half hour down 301.

Maybe one of the dentists that people have recommended will accept your dental insurance.

[retiredguy123]

I never heard of deep cleaning until I moved to The Villages. I agree that it is probably a scam. I go to Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg, who is a very good dentist.

[baustgen]

Anybody know a dentist who will just clean your teeth without all the exras?

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I never heard of deep cleaning until I moved to The Villages. I agree that it is probably a scam. I go to Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg, who is a very good dentist.

My husband needed deep cleaning twenty-five years ago. He never ever went to a dentist after college. It's a real thing.

[BK001]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I never heard of deep cleaning until I moved to The Villages. I agree that it is probably a scam. I go to Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg, who is a very good dentist.

With all due respect, I totally disagree. A "deep cleaning" is a procedure that involves root scaling and planing. Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and from the pocket area between the teeth and gums, and with planing the dental hygienist will use a scaling instrument to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the roots of your teeth. This procedure helps to reverse periodontal disease. It is not a scam.

I know because before I came to The Villages I've had many regular cleaning and polishings (which is just surface) and I have had several deep cleanings. There is a big difference between the two.

Ask your dentist, I'm sure he/she will agree.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by BK001

With all due respect, I totally disagree. A "deep cleaning" is a procedure that involves root scaling and planing. Scaling involves removing plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth and from the pocket area between the teeth and gums, and with planing the dental hygienist will use a scaling instrument to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the roots of your teeth. This procedure helps to reverse periodontal disease. It is not a scam.

I know because before I came to The Villages I've had many regular cleaning and polishings (which is just surface) and I have had several deep cleanings. There is a big difference between the two.

Ask your dentist, I'm sure he/she will agree.

Thank you for a knowledgeable response. I have come close to needing a deep cleaning a couple of times, but my dentist taught me some procedures by which I've managed to keep that need at bay.


It's not a scam.

[retiredguy123]

My dentist in Virginia and the one I go to here both told me that they can clean deep pockets as part of a regular cleaning. However, there are dentists in The Villages who want to charge more than $1,200 for a special hygienist appointment to do a deep cleaning. I would recommend getting a second opinion before agreeing to pay a hygienist that much money for less than 2 hours of work.

[biker1]

It is most definitely not a scam. How do I know this? My wife practiced for 35 years and my Dad developed dental materials. Whether you need it or not is a different topic. If you need root planing and you decide against it then this will be marked down in your records so you can't come back at a later date and try to sue the dentist after you need multiple tooth extractions and then dentures or implants.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I never heard of deep cleaning until I moved to The Villages. I agree that it is probably a scam. I go to Dr. Lunsford in Leesburg, who is a very good dentist.

[biker1]

The $1200 will look like a bargain after you start paying that much for each dental implant. You are paying for training, expertise, and experience.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

My dentist in Virginia and the one I go to here both told me that they can clean deep pockets as part of a regular cleaning. However, there are dentists in The Villages who want to charge more than $1,200 for a special hygienist appointment to do a deep cleaning. I would recommend getting a second opinion before agreeing to pay a hygienist that much money for less than 2 hours of work.

[BK001]

Originally Posted by biker1

The $1200 will look like a bargain after you start paying that much for each dental implant. You are paying for training, expertise, and experience.

The next step after deep cleaning is a full periodontal treatment where the gums are cut, roots are scaled and planed, and then the gums are sewn closed. I've had this experience as well.

I've been told that smokers (I am an ex-smoker) tend to develop a large number of periodontal problems,

[biker1]

You may also hear the term "gingivectomy".

Originally Posted by BK001

The next step after deep cleaning is a full periodontal treatment where the gums are cut, roots are scaled and planed, and then the gums are sewn closed. I've had this experience as well.

I've been told that smokers (I am an ex-smoker) tend to develop a large number of periodontal problems,

[retiredguy123]

I agree that some people may need extra cleaning procedures, but there is a wide variance in the recommendations and cost for dentists, especially in The Villages. I know several people who have gone to dentists outside of The Villages and received an entirely different diagnosis, treatment plan and proposed cost for the treatment. In my case, the dental office in The Villages wanted to do over $5,000 worth of dental work. But two other dentists told me that most of the work was not needed or recommended. I just recommend getting a second opinion.

[biker1]

I am pretty sure everyone knows that getting a second opinion for anything medical is a good idea. In your post #4, you said root planing (deep cleaning) is "probably a scam". It is not and I fail to see the value in offering opinions on something you clearly don't know anything about.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree that some people may need extra cleaning procedures, but there is a wide variance in the recommendations and cost for dentists, especially in The Villages. I know several people who have gone to dentists outside of The Villages and received an entirely different diagnosis, treatment plan and proposed cost for the treatment. In my case, the dental office in The Villages wanted to do over $5,000 worth of dental work. But two other dentists told me that most of the work was not needed or recommended. I just recommend getting a second opinion.