How much can preventive dental care save you?
A check-up and clean is the cheapest dental treatment there is. Here is how it compares with what you would pay if a small problem is left to grow.
Part of General dentistry
Preventive dental care is the cheapest dentistry there is. A check-up and clean catches small problems before they turn into treatment that costs many times more, and it is generally covered under SHA for civil servants.
What will this cost me?
This is how the cost of one neglected tooth tends to grow. The prices are Arrow Dental’s starting prices.
| Stage | Treatment | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy, or very early problem | Consultation and clean | KES 1,500 and KES 6,000 |
| Small cavity | Filling | KES 5,000 |
| Decay reaches the nerve | Root canal and crown | KES 12,000 and KES 26,000 |
| Tooth is lost | Implant | KES 140,000 |
Not every small cavity ends in an implant, but this is the direction a neglected tooth travels. A check-up is how you get off that path early.
What does preventive care include?
- Check-ups. Every six months for most people.
- Professional cleaning. This removes the tartar you cannot shift at home.
- X-rays, when there is a clinical reason. They can show decay between the teeth and under old fillings.
- Fluoride and sealants. These are especially useful for children.
- Advice. Your dentist can show you where your cleaning is missing.
Why doesn’t pain tell you when to go?
Early decay and gum disease often do not hurt. Bleeding gums are often the only early sign of gum disease, and many people ignore them. By the time a tooth aches, the problem has usually grown beyond a simple filling.
What can you do at home?
Brush for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth daily, and keep sugar to mealtimes. Here are more ways to look after your teeth.
Still not sure? Ask a dentist
Tell us what is going on and we will tell you plainly what it needs, what it costs and what your cover pays for.