The cleaning that catches problems before they become procedures
Most patients see us every six months. A 45-minute visit, a registered dental hygienist, and a doctor exam - we'll catch what your bathroom mirror can't.
What actually happens in the chair
A hygiene visit is a good deal more than a polish. Your hygienist starts by measuring the pockets around each tooth with a small probe and reading out numbers, which is how gum health gets tracked over time instead of guessed at. Three millimeters and under is healthy. Numbers that climb between visits are the earliest warning anyone gets.
Then comes scaling. An ultrasonic instrument breaks up hardened tartar with vibration and water, and hand instruments handle the detail work, especially just under the gumline and between teeth where a brush has never reached. Polishing at the end lifts surface stain and leaves the enamel smoother, so plaque has less to cling to.
X-rays are taken at intervals based on your risk rather than automatically every time. One of our dentists then examines you, reviews the images, and screens your head, neck and soft tissues. The visit usually runs about 45 minutes.
Regular cleaning versus deep cleaning
A standard cleaning, from $120 for adults and $95 for children, works above and just below the gumline in a mouth where the gums are healthy or only mildly inflamed. Deep cleaning, known formally as scaling and root planing, is a different procedure for a different problem, and it starts at $300 per quadrant.
We recommend it when tartar has built up on the root surfaces below the gum and the bone has begun to pull away. That shows up as pocket depths of four millimeters and deeper, gums that bleed easily, and bone loss visible on x-ray. At that stage, polishing the crowns of the teeth does not reach the actual problem. Deep cleaning is done with the area numbed, usually one or two quadrants per visit, followed by a maintenance schedule that is more frequent than every six months.
If your gums are at that point, our periodontist, Dr. Farhadian, works in the same building, so specialist care does not mean a referral across town.
What we are looking for besides plaque
Most of the value in a routine visit is in what gets caught early. Cavities between teeth are invisible in a bathroom mirror and show up on a bitewing x-ray while they are still small enough for a filling, which is a very different appointment from the root canal the same tooth may need a couple of years later.
We also watch for cracked or leaking old fillings, gums receding off root surfaces, flattened and shortened edges that point to nighttime grinding, and erosion patterns that suggest reflux or a lot of acidic drinks. The soft tissue screening covers your tongue, the floor of your mouth, your cheeks and your throat.
Medications matter here too. Dozens of common ones cause dry mouth, and less saliva means a much higher cavity rate, so tell your hygienist what you are taking even when it seems to have nothing to do with your teeth.
The home care that changes your next visit
Two minutes, twice a day, with a soft brush and a fluoride toothpaste does most of the work. An electric brush with a pressure sensor helps if you tend to scrub, because brushing harder wears enamel and pushes gums back rather than cleaning better.
Cleaning between the teeth is the step people skip and the one that shows up at your next visit. Floss works if you use it. Interdental brushes are often easier and more effective for wider gaps, bridges and braces. A water flosser is a useful addition, particularly around implants and bridgework, though it works best alongside floss rather than instead of it.
Two small timing points. Do not brush right after something acidic like citrus, soda or wine. Give it about thirty minutes so softened enamel can re-harden. And if you wake with a sore jaw or your partner hears grinding, say so, because a night guard is a much cheaper conversation than the crowns that follow years of untreated wear.
Cost, insurance and getting in
New patients start at $99 for an exam and cleaning. After that, adult cleanings start at $120, children start at $95, and deep cleaning starts at $300 per quadrant. If your visit turns out to call for more than a standard cleaning, we tell you before we start and give you the figure in writing, so nothing lands on the bill that you did not agree to first.
Most PPO dental plans cover preventive visits at a high percentage, often with no deductible. We verify your benefits at no charge before your appointment and tell you what your plan actually pays, including how many cleanings a year it allows. If you do not carry dental insurance, ask about our in-house membership plan. For larger treatment that comes out of a checkup, we work with Cherry, Affirm and Sunbit.
We are at 106 W Gray Street in Midtown Houston, open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 3pm. Call (713) 322-7474.
Treatments & pricing
New patient exam + cleaning
Digital X-rays, full exam, professional cleaning. Save $310 vs standard rate.
Adult cleaning
Routine prophylaxis. Includes oral cancer screening and a doctor exam.
Pediatric cleaning
Kid-friendly cleaning + fluoride. Welcome before age 1 for first visit.
Deep cleaning
When pockets exceed 4mm - see our periodontist for full evaluation.
Prices are estimates for self-pay patients before insurance. Insurance reduces costs significantly. Financing available - most patients qualify in minutes via Cherry or Sunbit.
Frequently asked
How often should I get my teeth cleaned?
Most patients every 6 months. Active gum disease or higher risk: every 3-4 months. Standard prophylaxis is 45 minutes with a registered dental hygienist plus a doctor exam.
What's included in the $99 new patient special?
Digital X-rays (full set), comprehensive exam by a doctor, oral cancer screening, and a professional cleaning. Save $310 vs the standard rate. New patients only, one per person.
Do you see kids?
Yes. We see kids from age 1 (first visit by their first birthday). Pediatric cleanings $95, fluoride and sealants extra. We use a kid-first approach so the first visit isn't scary.
Where can I get a teeth cleaning in Houston?
Omega Dental Specialists provides cleanings, deep cleanings, and hygiene visits at our Midtown Houston office, 106 W Gray Street, easily reached from downtown, Montrose, River Oaks, and the Medical Center. New-patient cleanings are $99. Call (713) 322-7474.
Related specialties
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Book a consultation. We'll walk you through your options, your costs, and your timeline - no pressure.