If your dentist has mentioned a "deep clean," "scale and root planing," or "periodontal treatment" at your last visit, you're probably wondering two things: how is this different from the clean you've always had, and what's it going to cost? This guide covers both, with indicative 2026 Perth pricing, how many appointments to expect, and where laser-assisted gum treatment fits into the picture.
If you landed here after reading about bleeding gums or receding gums, this is the next logical step: what actual treatment looks like and what it's likely to cost.
Deep Clean vs Routine Clean: What's Actually Different
A routine check-up and clean (sometimes called a "scale and clean" or prophylaxis) removes surface plaque and tartar from above the gumline. It's a maintenance visit for gums that are healthy or only mildly inflamed, and it's usually done in one appointment with a polish and fluoride. We've covered what that normally costs and how health fund rebates apply in our dental check-up and clean cost guide, so we won't repeat it here.
A deep clean (scale and root planing) is a different, more involved procedure. It's used when gum disease has progressed enough that plaque and calculus have built up below the gumline, in the periodontal pockets around the tooth roots. Scaling removes that build-up, and root planing smooths the root surface so gum tissue has a better chance of reattaching. It typically involves local anaesthetic, takes longer per section of the mouth, and is usually done in stages rather than one sitting.
In short: a routine clean maintains healthy gums; a deep clean treats gum disease that's already taken hold.
What Does a Deep Clean Cost in Perth?
Exact pricing always depends on your dentist's examination the stage of gum disease, how many teeth and quadrants are affected, whether X-rays or anaesthetic are needed, and how many visits your treatment plan requires. The ranges below are indicative only and should be confirmed with a written quote after an exam.
As a general guide based on current published Australian pricing:
Scaling and root planing per quadrant: commonly deep cleaning for treating gum disease can range from $150 to $400 per quadrant, with the total cost for the entire mouth landing between $600 and $1,600.
Full-mouth non-surgical periodontal treatment: often quoted as a package, typically ranging from $800 to $1,900 for full-mouth treatment, depending on severity and number of sessions.
Periodontal consultation/assessment (if referred to a specialist): a periodontal consultation commonly ranges from around $190 to $435+, depending on the clinic, specialist involvement, x-rays, charting and treatment planning included.
Ongoing periodontal maintenance visits (after initial treatment, usually every 3–4 months): generally priced similarly to or slightly above a routine clean, reflecting the extra time needed to monitor pocket depths.
Some general dental clinics quote deep cleaning on a sliding scale depending on complexity — one Australian pricing roundup put the periodontal or deep cleaning cost at $250 to $600 or more, where gum disease or significant build up is present. Perth pricing tends to sit within this broader Australian range, but the only way to know your actual figure is a clinical examination, because pocket depth, bone loss, and the number of affected teeth all change the treatment plan.
What affects your price
Number of quadrants or teeth needing treatment
Severity of gum disease (gingivitis vs early, moderate, or advanced periodontitis)
Whether local anaesthetic is used
Diagnostic X-rays and periodontal charting
Number of visits required to complete treatment
Whether general dentist care is sufficient or a periodontist referral is needed
How Many Visits Does a Deep Clean Take?
Unlike a routine clean, scale and root planing is rarely done in a single appointment. Most patients need two to four visits, often scheduled so one or two quadrants are treated at a time. This allows:
More thorough, comfortable treatment of each area under local anaesthetic
Time for gum tissue to begin healing and tightening between visits
A review appointment (usually 6–8 weeks later) to check pocket depths and see whether inflammation has settled
After initial treatment, most people move onto a periodontal maintenance schedule cleans every 3 to 4 months rather than the standard 6 to 12 until gum health stabilises.
When Gum Disease Needs More Than a Deep Clean
A deep clean is the standard first-line treatment for gingivitis and most early-to-moderate periodontitis. But if pocket depths are significant, there's notable bone loss, or the gums aren't responding to non-surgical treatment, your dentist may refer you to a periodontist a specialist in gum and bone conditions around teeth for further assessment and possible surgical treatment. This isn't a step every patient needs, but it's worth knowing it exists as a pathway if standard treatment isn't enough. You can read more about how treatment is staged in our guide to bleeding gums and gum disease treatment and our breakdown of the stages of gum disease.
For a general overview of what gum disease treatment covers, see our gum disease treatment page.
Where Does Laser-Assisted Gum Treatment Fit?
Some Perth clinics now offer laser-assisted treatment alongside scaling and root planing. It's important to be clear about what this does and doesn't do: laser treatment is typically used as an adjunct to conventional scaling and root planing helping target bacteria in the gum pocket or supporting a more comfortable experience rather than a replacement for the mechanical removal of plaque and calculus. If your dentist discusses laser-assisted gum treatment with you, ask specifically what it's being used for in your case and how it fits alongside the core deep clean.
You can learn more about how laser dentistry is used more broadly in our guide: laser dentistry in Perth: what it is and how it helps, or see the laser dentistry treatment page for an overview of the technology.
A Perth Clinic Offering Laser Dentistry and Family Dental Care
Hocking Dental Care is a general and family dental practice in Perth's northern suburbs offering check-ups and cleans, laser dentistry, and children's dentistry alongside general family dental care. If you've noticed bleeding, swelling, or receding gums and want an examination to find out whether you need a routine clean or a more involved deep clean, booking a check-up is the right first step the dentist will assess your gums and let you know what's needed and what it's likely to cost before any treatment begins.
See clinic details here: Hocking Dental Care.
FAQs
How much is a deep clean at the dentist in Perth? It depends entirely on the exam findings, but indicative 2026 Australian pricing sits roughly between $150–$400 per quadrant, or $600–$1,900 for a full-mouth course of treatment across multiple visits. Always get a written quote after your assessment.
Is a deep clean the same as a check-up and clean? No. A routine check-up and clean maintains healthy gums above the gumline in one visit. A deep clean (scale and root planing) treats gum disease below the gumline and usually takes two to four visits. See our check-up and clean cost guide for routine pricing.
Do I need to see a periodontist in Perth? Not usually most gum disease is treated successfully by a general dentist. Referral to a periodontist is typically reserved for advanced cases with significant pocket depth or bone loss that aren't responding to standard deep cleaning.
Does laser gum treatment replace scale and root planing? No. It's generally used alongside, not instead of, mechanical scaling and root planing. Ask your dentist exactly how it's being used in your treatment plan.
Ready to find out which clean you actually need? Book an appointment and get an accurate quote based on your own examination.
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