Preventive Dentistry
Checkups, cleanings and early treatment — the cheapest dentistry there is.
Overview
Preventive care is a checkup, X-rays where needed, and a cleaning — usually every six months. It is the only dentistry that dental insurance typically covers at 100% with the deductible waived, which makes skipping it the most expensive decision in dentistry: a cavity caught early is a $200–$375 filling, the same tooth two years later can be a $1,300–$2,000 root canal plus a $1,400–$2,200 crown.
Gum health matters more once you have implants, crowns or veneers. Implants do not decay, but the gum and bone around them can become infected (peri-implantitis), and unlike a natural tooth an implant gives little warning before the bone is already lost. Denvida's recall appointments check implant sites specifically, which is also why the practice treats and, where necessary, removes failing implants.
Options & Types
Checkup + X-rays + cleaning
The standard six-month visit: exam, bitewing X-rays and an adult cleaning.
Deep cleaning (scaling & root planing)
For gum disease with pocketing — cleaning below the gum line, priced per quadrant.
Implant & restoration maintenance
Recall visits that check implant sites, crown margins and veneer edges specifically.
The Process
- 1
Exam
Teeth, gums, bite and existing restorations are checked, with an oral cancer screening.
- 2
X-rays where indicated
Bitewing X-rays find decay between teeth and bone loss that an exam alone cannot see.
- 3
Cleaning
Plaque and tartar are removed above and, if needed, below the gum line, then teeth are polished.
- 4
Plan & recall interval
You get any findings in writing and a recall interval — six months for most people, three to four with gum disease or implants.
Cost & Financing
| Procedure | Bay Area range | Denvida |
|---|---|---|
| Checkup + X-rays + cleaning | $150–$350 | typically 100% covered |
| Adult cleaning only | $120–$220 | typically 100% covered |
| Deep cleaning (per quadrant) | $250–$450 | written estimate |
Ranges are Bay Area market references, not quotes. Preventive care is typically covered at 100% with the deductible waived under dental PPO plans; deep cleaning is usually covered as basic restorative at around 80%. Denvida is in-network with Delta Dental & Cigna.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dental checkup and cleaning cost in the Bay Area?
A checkup with X-rays and a cleaning typically runs $150–$350 at Bay Area market rates, and a cleaning alone $120–$220. Dental PPO plans usually cover preventive care at 100% with the deductible waived, so most insured patients pay nothing. Denvida is in-network with Delta Dental and Cigna.
How often should I see a dentist?
Every six months for most adults, which is also what dental insurance typically pays for. Three to four months is better if you have gum disease, implants, or a history of frequent cavities, because those situations progress faster and give less warning. Denvida sets your interval from what the exam actually shows.
Do dental implants need cleanings too?
Yes, and arguably more than natural teeth. Implants cannot decay, but the gum and bone around them can become infected — peri-implantitis — and an implant gives far less early warning than a natural tooth, which aches. By the time an implant feels loose, bone has already been lost and does not grow back on its own. Regular recall visits are how that gets caught early.
What is the difference between a regular cleaning and a deep cleaning?
A regular cleaning removes plaque and tartar above the gum line and is preventive. A deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) goes below the gum line to clean the root surfaces where gum disease has created pockets, is done one quadrant at a time, often with local anesthesia, and is treatment rather than prevention — so insurance classifies and covers it differently.
Related Services
Free consultation + 3D scan
Meet Dr. Na Zhao (DDS, PhD) for a no-obligation consultation, 3D scan and written estimate. Mandarin & Spanish spoken.