Frequently Asked Questions

What problem does this solve?

Even with careful brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar within 48-72 hours — and no home tool can remove tartar. It builds up where your brush can't reach: below the gumline, between tightly packed teeth, and on the back surfaces of molars. Left alone, it causes gum inflammation, bleeding, bad breath, and eventually bone loss around teeth.

A professional cleaning removes what brushing can't, resets the health of your gums, and — just as importantly — gives Dr. Varsha a chance to spot cavities, cracked teeth, or gum problems early, before they become expensive problems.

At Smile Dental Kondapur, we see three types of cleaning patients: people who haven't been in 2+ years and know things have built up, patients on a routine 6-month schedule, and people who were told elsewhere they need "deep cleaning" and want a second opinion on whether that's actually necessary.

The two kinds of cleaning — and which one you need

This is where many patients get oversold. There's a real clinical difference, and using the right one matters.

Grade 1 — Oral Prophylaxis (routine cleaning) — ₹2,000: Standard 6-month or yearly cleaning. Removes plaque, surface tartar, and light staining using an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments, followed by polishing. 30-45 minutes. Most healthy adults only need this.

Grade 2 — Deep Scaling (root planing) — ₹3,000 per quadrant: For patients with tartar below the gumline, gum pockets deeper than 4mm, or active gum disease. The scaler reaches below the gumline to remove hardened deposits on the tooth roots. Your mouth has four quadrants (upper-left, upper-right, lower-left, lower-right) — treatment is usually done one or two quadrants at a time. 45-60 minutes per quadrant.

When deep cleaning is genuinely needed: Your gums bleed routinely when you brush. You notice a bad taste or smell that doesn't go away. The gum line has visibly receded. A dentist measured "pocket depths" above 4mm. You haven't had professional cleaning in 3+ years.

When regular cleaning is enough: Your gums look pink and don't bleed much. You've had routine cleanings within the last 12-18 months. Pocket depths are 3mm or less. If a clinic insists on four-quadrant deep scaling for someone with healthy gums, that's over-treatment.

Piezo surgery — when scaling isn't enough

For moderate-to-advanced gum disease, ultrasonic cleaning alone may not fully clear deep pockets. Piezo surgery (₹6,000 per quadrant) uses finer ultrasonic tips designed for precise debridement of tooth roots under direct visualisation. It's more thorough than standard deep scaling, and less invasive than flap surgery.

For severe cases with bone loss, flap surgery (₹10,000 per quadrant) opens the gum tissue temporarily to clean roots and bone directly. This is reserved for patients where earlier stages of treatment haven't fully resolved the disease.

How the appointment actually runs

Arrival and history review: Any symptoms? New medications? Pregnancy? Bleeding or sensitivity changes since last visit?

Examination (5-10 minutes): Dr. Varsha checks each tooth for decay, examines gums for inflammation and pocket depths, checks existing fillings and crowns, and scans soft tissues (tongue, cheeks, palate) for anything unusual. Any cavities, cracks, or early problems get flagged.

X-rays if needed (₹200 per IOPA, ₹500 for OPG): Not required every visit — typically once every 12-18 months for routine patients, or targeted X-rays if a specific concern is spotted.

Cleaning (30-60 minutes): Ultrasonic scaler removes tartar. Hand instruments clean areas the scaler can't reach. Polishing removes surface stains and leaves teeth smooth so plaque is slower to re-adhere. Fluoride application at the end strengthens enamel.

Review and next steps: Brief discussion — areas needing better home care, whether any early issues need follow-up, and when your next cleaning should be (usually 6-12 months).

Cost summary

• Consultation + examination — ₹500
• Digital X-ray (IOPA) — ₹200
• Full mouth X-ray (OPG) — ₹500
• Grade 1 routine cleaning — ₹2,000
• Grade 2 deep scaling — ₹3,000 per quadrant
• Piezo surgery — ₹6,000 per quadrant
• Flap surgery (for advanced cases) — ₹10,000 per quadrant
• Laser gum treatment (add-on for deep scaling/piezo) — ₹5,000 per quadrant

A typical healthy adult coming in for routine cleaning pays ₹2,500-₹2,700 total (consultation + cleaning). If X-rays are due, add ₹200-₹500.

Why patients choose Smile Dental Kondapur for cleaning

Three things come up repeatedly. First, no upselling — if you need a ₹2,000 cleaning, that's what you'll be quoted, not a ₹12,000 four-quadrant deep scaling package. Second, Dr. Varsha examines every mouth for early issues — cleaning appointments often catch problems when they're still cheap and easy to fix. Third, we explain what we're doing and why, so you understand your own oral health rather than just sitting through it.

The clinic is on Masjid Banda Road behind Coffee Day — a short drive from HITEC City, Gachibowli, and Madhapur.

Frequently asked questions

Covered in the FAQ section below.