Prices for tartar removal vary considerably between different dental practices. Indeed, it is by no means uncommon to find different prices even within the same practice, as the cost of the service can be influenced by a number of factors.
As more and more people are realising that tartar removal is not some sort of cosmetic procedure but a medical necessity, many are comparing prices between dental practices and often fail to understand what might account for even significant differences in cost between services.
For this reason, we felt it was important to devote a separate article to this topic, as many people are unaware that tartar removal can be carried out using a variety of techniques, each with varying degrees of effectiveness, and that these can all affect the final cost of the treatment.
In this article, we have compiled the most important information regarding the cost of tartar removal, so that our patients can gain a full understanding of both the service itself and the factors that are relevant to pricing.
What Is Tartar?
Let’s start with the basics, as many people do not have their tartar removed regularly because they confuse it with ordinary plaque.
Yet there are significant differences between the two! To remove dental plaque, routine oral hygiene – such as daily tooth brushing and the use of dental floss – is sufficient. If you fail to do this, or if you do not do it thoroughly enough, tartar will build up.
This is, in fact, nothing more than hardened plaque that has bonded so firmly to the tooth enamel that it can no longer be removed using home remedies, only by professional tartar removal offers a solution.
Why remove tartar?
As well as appearing as a yellowish, brownish or often blackish build-up on the surface of the teeth, tartar is not merely a cosmetic problem.
This is because it promotes the build-up of bacteria, which has a negative effect on the gums; in other words, it can lead to inflammation and, in the longer term, to periodontal disease, gum recession and even tooth loss.
All of this may be accompanied by problems such as bad breath or the discolouration mentioned above, which, if the front teeth are affected, can have a negative impact on smiling and everyday activities.
Why is it not advisable to remove tartar at home?
Mainly because it’s not possible. There are plenty of home remedies, and indeed a great many devices can be ordered online that promise effective tartar removal, but in reality these are either completely ineffective or only produce partial results.
An even bigger problem, however, is that such home remedies can cause irreversible damage to tooth enamel, for example – thereby increasing the risk of tooth decay – and can lead to injuries that may even become infected.
What does a professional dental scaling involve?
Professional tartar removal is the only way to ensure that the deposits are properly removed. In practice, this means that tartar is removed not only from visible areas but also from between the teeth, where it can also cause problems.
So what exactly makes a professional tartar removal treatment? Let’s take a look at how this is carried out at the NaturaDent clinic, and we’ll find out the answer straight away:
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Assessment: Tartar removal recommended by a dentist always begins with a comprehensive assessment, as part of which the dentist not only assesses the general condition of the oral cavity but also identifies problem areas, for example, in the case of missing teeth, the necessary dental restorations, and assesses the location and extent of tartar both above and below the gum line.
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Tartar removal: The key part of the procedure is the removal of tartar itself, for which, in the better dental practices, an ultrasonic scaler is used, which is capable of loosening tartar using powerful vibrations and a jet of water without damaging the tooth enamel.
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Hand washing: In many dental practices, tartar removal is limited to this extent; however, professional treatment must always be supplemented with manual cleaning to ensure that deposits are removed even from hard-to-reach areas. In our practice, we take this a step further by combining it with a special bead blasting technique!
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Polishing: Professionalism is also enhanced when tartar removal is accompanied by polishing. This is important because, as part of the process, it removes any remaining tartar from the surface of the teeth, and the smooth surface reduces the likelihood of further plaque build-up and calcification.
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Oral hygiene advice: Although tartar build-up cannot be completely prevented, the process can be slowed down with proper oral hygiene; that is why, at NaturaDent, every tartar removal treatment is followed by tailored advice on good oral care habits.
Why can there be such a big difference in the cost of tartar removal in Hungary?
Prices for tartar removal in Hungary vary considerably. There are often significant differences even within the same region – and indeed within the same dental practice – as prices for this service range from 15,000 forints up to 000 forints.
It is important to note, however, that prices reflect not only the quality and complexity of the tartar removal but also the technology used.
In many dental practices, for example, tartar removal is still carried out by the dentist, which is only a temporary, superficial solution; often, the deposits become visible again after just a week or two.
Effective, professional and thorough tartar removal is carried out by dental hygienists and is always part of a multi-stage process that involves not only the removal of deposits but also the thorough cleaning of the tooth surfaces.
We have summarised the reasons why there can be such a large difference in the prices of tartar removal in the points below:
Technologies and tools used
The cost of tartar removal is largely determined by the techniques and instruments used. In some places, deposits are still removed using traditional methods, albeit at the risk of damaging the tooth enamel.
This may be cheaper than tartar removal using ultrasound technology, but there is a huge difference in effectiveness between the two. However, this raises the question: why, then, is there a difference in the prices of ultrasound tartar removal as well?
Mainly because there are clinics where they carry out the ultrasound treatment and then send the patient on their way, whilst elsewhere, with long-term effects in mind, they also use sandblasting and polishing to ensure a flawless result.
Package deals
In our experience, a common problem is that many people only look at the prices when it comes to tartar removal, but do not consider what they are getting in return for their money, even though, in terms of value for money, the more expensive option is the better value.
To use the example mentioned above: ultrasonic tartar removal on its own is cheaper than if it were supplemented with polishing, intraoral sandblasting and laser pocket disinfection, however, with the latter option, we get significantly more value for our money.
This pays off in the longer term, as a more thorough treatment can prevent tartar from building up again for as long as 6–9 months; however, without additional treatments, it is not out of the question that we may need it again after just 3 months.
Geographical location
Of course, there are also factors among those that determine the cost of tartar removal which are less tangible or have a lesser impact, but they should not be overlooked nonetheless.
One such factor is the geographical location of the practice. In Budapest and other major cities, for example, dental treatment is inherently more expensive due to higher expectations, higher rents or higher labour costs.
Experience shows, however, that due to competition, differences arising from geographical location now account for only very minor variations in dental treatments such as tartar removal.
Experience and qualifications
Last but not least, we can also regard experience and educational background as a minor, yet all the more important, factor in pricing.
As mentioned above, in many dental practices, dentists remove tartar using traditional methods; however, this is not effective and….
Qualified dental hygienists are able to carry out tartar removal professionally using state-of-the-art technology, and this level of expertise is, of course, always reflected in the prices.
Instead of just looking at the price of tartar removal, we always look at the real value!
As will no doubt be clear to many from the above, when it comes to the cost of tartar removal, it is not just the total price of the service that should be taken into account when making a choice, but rather what you get in return for your money.
The decision will always lie with the patient: do they want a safe, high-quality service that ensures their teeth remain free of tartar in the long term, or a procedure that will need to be repeated in 2–3 months’ time?.
Cheaper treatments often only appear to solve the problem, but if tartar is not properly removed – particularly from areas beneath the gums or in hard-to-reach places – further treatment will soon be required, otherwise it will lead to the development of gum disease.
So, rather than the total cost, we should always consider the value for money when choosing the right dental practice.
Frequently asked questions
Why does tartar build up?
The build-up of tartar is mainly caused by poor oral hygiene. If plaque is not removed properly, the minerals in saliva cause it to harden and discolour, resulting in tartar.
How Often Is Tartar Removal Recommended?
It depends on the patient, but following professional treatment, it is generally not necessary for 6–9 months. Of course, some people are more prone to tartar build-up, whilst others are less likely to experience this problem; for this reason, it is important to base the decision on the patient’s condition rather than on a specific timeframe.
Is tartar removal painful?
At the NaturaDent clinic, tartar removal is generally a painless procedure, for which anaesthesia can be requested if required. Rather than pain, patients usually experience only mild discomfort.
Why is polishing important when removing tartar?
This is because polishing smooths the surface of the tooth, which reduces the likelihood of plaque build-up and, consequently, the re-formation of tartar.
Why is sandblasting necessary as part of tartar removal?
This is because intraoral sandblasting allows deposits to be removed even from hard-to-reach areas, thereby increasing the effectiveness and longevity of the treatment.
Can children develop tartar too?
. In the case of permanent teeth, this requires particular care and professional extraction.
Can tartar removal be carried out during pregnancy?
Yes, in fact it is strongly recommended, as the associated hormonal changes increase the risk of developing oral health problems; however, most of these can be effectively prevented by having tartar removed.
Does genetics also play a role in the formation of tartar?
Experience shows that most dental conditions, such as periodontal problems and a predisposition to tartar build-up, can be inherited.
How quickly can tartar build up again?
It varies. With proper oral hygiene, the build-up of tartar can be prevented for months, but those who are prone to it, or who have not had a professional tartar removal, may experience plaque build-up again after just a few days; whilst this is not yet tartar, but can be regarded as a precursor to it.
Can tartar build-up be completely prevented?
Unfortunately not; it is not possible to completely prevent tartar build-up, but the process can be significantly slowed down through proper oral hygiene, and the development of unpleasant complications can be prevented through regular, professional tartar removal.
