Scaling and Polishing in Lahore: Cost, Procedure & Aftercare
Scaling and polishing is the professional removal of plaque, tartar, and surface stains — above and below the gum line — that no toothbrush can shift. At Odonto we combine ultrasonic scaling, hand-instrument finishing, and rubber-cup polishing in a single 30–45 minute visit for routine cases. The scaling of teeth price at our Lahore clinic starts from PKR 3,500. Dental plaque removal at this depth is the single most important visit a Pakistani patient can book — and the cheapest way to avoid the much larger restorative bills that follow neglect. Teeth cleaning price in Pakistan varies widely; ours is published in writing before any treatment begins.
PMDC certifiedThe professional clean that brushing cannot replace.
Scaling and polishing is a two-part hygiene procedure performed by a dentist or hygienist. Scaling is the physical removal of plaque and tartar (calculus) from the tooth surface — using ultrasonic vibration above the gum line and hand-held curettes for finer detail and below the gum line. Polishing follows: a rubber cup with prophy paste smooths every surface and lifts the surface stains from chai, coffee, paan, and tobacco.
Why it matters: plaque hardens into tartar within 24–72 hours of being missed by your toothbrush. Once tartar forms, no brush, mouthwash, or home gadget will shift it. Only an ultrasonic scaler or a hand curette in trained hands can. Left in place, tartar irritates the gum, causes bleeding, and progresses to bone loss around the tooth — periodontitis.
At Odonto, every oral hygiene appointment begins with a periodontal exam. We chart pocket depths, record bleeding indices, and decide — in writing — whether you need a routine clean (above the gum line) or deep scaling and root planing (below the gum line, for active periodontitis). The video on the right walks you through both protocols.
Six signs your mouth needs scaling now.
Most Pakistani patients leave scaling too late — until the gums are bleeding, the breath has gone, or a tooth has started to feel loose. If any of these signs sound familiar, the recall visit is overdue.
Hard yellow or brown tartar at the gum line
Visible deposits on the inside of your lower front teeth or behind the upper molars. Brushing will not shift this — only ultrasonic scaling and polishing can. The longer it sits, the harder it gets, and the more it irritates the gum underneath.
Gums that bleed when you brush or floss
A clear sign of gingivitis — early gum disease. Healthy gums do not bleed, ever. Caught early, gingivitis is fully reversible with a single professional cleaning. Ignored, it slowly turns into periodontitis and bone loss.
Persistent bad breath despite brushing
Halitosis from sub-gingival bacteria living inside the tartar. No mouthwash, no toothpaste, no chewing gum will fix this until the tartar is physically removed. Most patients are surprised how much fresher the mouth feels the same evening.
Chai, paan, coffee or smoking stains
Yellow-brown surface staining that brushing leaves untouched. Polishing with prophy paste lifts most of it in one visit. The deeper internal colour of the tooth needs a separate whitening treatment — but the surface layer comes off with the cleaning itself.
Gums receding and exposing tooth roots
When tartar pushes the gum away from the tooth, root surfaces become visible — tender to cold, prone to decay. Deep scaling and root planing stabilise the gum line and stop the recession from progressing.
Fuzzy or rough feeling between brushings
That biofilm coating you feel by mid-afternoon is plaque starting to harden into tartar. A six-monthly cleaning resets the slate and stops it ever turning into the harder calculus that needs a heavier appointment.
Six reasons the cleaning visit is worth booking.
A 30–45 minute visit, twice a year, prevents almost every restorative emergency we see at the clinic. The benefits below are the ones our Lahore patients tell us about most often.
Reverses bleeding gums
The single biggest reason patients book a clean. After a thorough scaling and polishing — followed by a week of soft-brush, daily flossing — bleeding stops in 90% of patients. Gingivitis is the only stage of gum disease that is fully reversible.
Genuinely fresher breath
Sub-gingival bacteria sitting inside calculus cause the bad breath that no mouthwash can fix. Removing the tartar removes the source. Most patients notice the difference the same evening — and so do the people they speak to.
Brighter, smoother teeth
Polishing with prophy paste lifts surface stains from chai, paan, coffee and smoking. Teeth look one to two shades brighter and feel glassy-smooth to the tongue. Not a whitening treatment — but the closest thing to it that you get for under PKR 6,000.
Stops gum disease before bone loss
Untreated gingivitis becomes periodontitis. Periodontitis means bone loss around the tooth — and that bone, once lost, does not come back. Scaling every 6 months is what keeps the gums and the underlying bone where they belong.
Cheapest insurance in dentistry
A PKR 3,500 routine cleaning, twice a year, prevents the PKR 25,000 deep scaling, the PKR 15,000 root canal, and the PKR 75,000 dental implant. Skipped recalls are the single most expensive habit a Pakistani patient can adopt.
Catches problems before you feel them
Your hygienist sees what you cannot — early decay between molars, an old filling that has chipped, a crown margin starting to leak. Spotting these at the cleaning visit means smaller, cheaper fixes later.
Seven scaling and polishing protocols. One that fits your gums.
We offer ultrasonic scaling, hand-instrument scaling, full-mouth deep cleaning, scaling with root planing per quadrant, periodontal maintenance, pediatric cleans, and the routine 6-monthly prophy. Each is described below — pros and cons listed honestly so you can match the right protocol to your case.
Six-month standardRoutine prophylaxis (clean)
A single 30–45 minute visit. Ultrasonic scaler removes plaque and tartar above the gum line, then a rubber-cup polish with prophy paste smooths and brightens. The standard six-monthly hygiene appointment for healthy mouths.
Faster + more thoroughUltrasonic scaling + polish
Same visit length as routine but with extra time on stubborn tartar using a piezo ultrasonic tip. The default for patients who have not been to a dentist in a year or more. Picks up everything the toothbrush missed.
Hand-instrument finishHand scaling (curettes)
Hand-held curettes used after the ultrasonic to clean spots the vibrating tip cannot reach precisely — between very tight teeth, around crown margins, and just below the gum line. Always paired with the ultrasonic, never used alone.
Periodontal · most thoroughFull-mouth deep cleaning
For patients with moderate to advanced gum disease. All four quadrants done across one or two visits, often with local anaesthesia. Ultrasonic + hand instruments above and below the gum line. The decisive treatment for stopping periodontitis in its tracks.
Per-quadrant SRPScaling + root planing (per quadrant)
When deep cleaning is split across quadrants, comfortable for patients who prefer shorter visits or need only one or two areas treated. Subgingival deposits removed, root surfaces planed smooth so the gum can re-attach.
Pediatric cleanChildren’s scaling & polish
A short, gentle clean for children aged 6–16. Soft ultrasonic settings, fruity prophy paste, and a fluoride varnish. The recall sets the foundation for a lifetime of low-stress dental visits — exactly what most adult patients tell us they wish they had.
3-month recallPeriodontal maintenance
For patients who have completed deep scaling and need 3-monthly recall to hold the result. Combines a routine clean with subgingival re-instrumentation in any pockets that have started to deepen again. The price of stability for a periodontitis patient.
Transparent pricing. No hidden charges.
Tartar removal cost at Odonto Lahore is fixed per cleaning type and per quadrant. Prices below are all-inclusive: periodontal exam, ultrasonic and hand scaling, polishing, and hygiene re-education. Optional add-ons (fluoride varnish, antibiotic gel, heavy-stain removal) are listed separately. The free 15-minute consultation always includes a written quote before any treatment begins.
| Cleaning type | Price |
|---|---|
| Quick prophyMild buildup · short visit | PKR 2,500 |
| Routine scaling + polishingStandard 6-monthly | PKR 3,500 |
| Ultrasonic scaling + polishHeavier tartar · piezo | PKR 4,500 |
| Deep scaling per quadrant (SRP)Below the gum line · with anaesthesia | PKR 4,500 |
| Full-mouth deep scalingAll four quadrants · bundle | PKR 15,000 |
| Periodontal maintenance recall3-monthly post-SRP | PKR 4,000 |
| Pediatric scalingChildren 6–16 | PKR 2,000 |
| Heavy stain removal add-onChai · paan · smoking | +PKR 1,500 |
| Fluoride varnishSensitivity · post-deep-clean | +PKR 1,500 |
| Scaling + polishing + whiteningCombo bundle | PKR 22,000 |
For routine scaling + polishing.
Ten factors that shape your scaling and polishing price.
Scaling pricing in Lahore looks confusing because the spread is so wide — PKR 800 at one government counter, PKR 30,000 for full-mouth deep work at another private clinic. The ten factors below explain almost the whole difference.
Cleaning type
A routine scaling and polishing is the cheapest visit on the menu. Ultrasonic-led cleans add a small premium. Deep scaling and root planing, with anaesthesia, costs three to five times a routine clean. The biggest single factor in your bill.
How much tartar has built up
Six months of catch-up cleaning takes the same time as one quarter of catch-up after five missed years. Heavy chai, paan, or smoking stains add 15–30 minutes to a routine appointment and may justify the upper end of the quoted range.
Number of quadrants needing deep work
Mild periodontitis in one or two quadrants is cheaper than full-mouth advanced periodontitis. We chart pocket depths at the consultation and tell you, on paper, how many quadrants actually need the deeper protocol.
Fluoride finish or not
A fluoride varnish at the end of the appointment reduces post-treatment sensitivity and strengthens enamel — a PKR 1,500 add-on we recommend after every deep clean and for any patient with sensitivity history.
Government hospital vs private clinic
Government dental hospitals offer subsidised scaling but with junior dentist execution, basic ultrasonic units, and long appointment queues. Private clinics like Odonto charge full price but you see a senior clinician on your scheduled date with modern instruments.
Specialist periodontist vs general dentist
Routine scaling can be done equally well by either. Advanced periodontitis with 6mm+ pockets benefits from a periodontist — typically charges 20–30% more but the result on bone-loss cases justifies it. We refer when the case warrants it.
Antibiotic gel for deep pockets
Localised antimicrobial gel placed in deep pockets after SRP (+PKR 2,500 per quadrant) accelerates healing and reduces recurrence. Used selectively where pocket depth and bleeding indicate it — never as a default upsell.
Adjacent treatments same day
A small filling, polishing-only appointment, or impression for a night guard added to the same visit reduces the total trip count and may attract a small bundle discount. Discussed openly at the consultation.
Whitening combo
A scaling, polishing and chair-side whitening combo (from PKR 22,000) bundles three appointments into one and saves around 20% versus booking each separately. Best done after — never before — the cleaning is complete.
Recall frequency
A patient on a 6-month healthy recall pays half what a periodontitis patient on 3-month maintenance pays per year. The trade-off — annual cost versus catastrophic restorative cost — is not close. Recall always wins.
Routine prophylaxis or deep scaling and root planing?
Every cleaning falls into one of two families. Healthy mouths get routine scaling above the gum line. Gum disease cases need deep cleaning teeth below the gum line — what we call scaling root planing. The periodontal exam at the start of the visit decides which one you need.
Above the gum line. Single visit. No anaesthesia.
The standard 6-monthly hygiene appointment for healthy gums. Pocket depths under 4mm, no bleeding, no recession. Ultrasonic and hand scaling clean the tooth surface above the gum line; rubber-cup polishing finishes the visit.
- ✓30–45 min, single visit
- ✓From PKR 3,500 all-inclusive
- ✓No anaesthesia needed
- ✓Lifts surface stains in the same visit
- ×Only above the gum line
- ×Not enough for active periodontitis
Below the gum line. Multi-visit. Numbed.
For moderate to advanced periodontitis. Pockets ≥ 4mm, bleeding, recession, or bone loss on X-ray. Subgingival deposits removed and root surfaces planed smooth so the gum can re-attach. Local anaesthesia per quadrant.
- ✓Cleans deep periodontal pockets
- ✓Stops bone loss progression
- ✓Numbed — no sharp pain
- ✓Bundle price for full-mouth: PKR 15,000
- ×1–2 visits, 90–120 min total
- ×Mild soreness for 2–3 days post-op
Government dental hospital or private clinic?
Both are legitimate options for routine scaling. The honest comparison below tells you what you actually get for the price difference — and where modern ultrasonic instrumentation matters.
Subsidised, but with trade-offs.
Lahore has good government and dental teaching hospitals — Mayo, Punjab Dental Hospital, the public-sector dental departments. Scaling is heavily subsidised, sometimes under PKR 1,000.
- ✓Significantly lower fees — often 70–80% less
- ✓Fine for simple, healthy-gum routine cleans
- ×Long appointment queues
- ×Junior dentists or house officers usually do the procedure
- ×Older, basic ultrasonic instruments
- ×No detailed periodontal charting
Modern instruments, senior clinician, same week.
Private clinics like Odonto charge full market price but you see a senior clinician on your scheduled date, with modern piezo ultrasonic units, full periodontal charting, and a written quote before any work begins.
- ✓Modern piezo ultrasonic + air-flow
- ✓Senior clinician executes every appointment
- ✓Detailed periodontal charting at every visit
- ✓Written quote before treatment begins
- ✓Same-week appointments, recall reminders
- ×Higher fees than government counter
Specialist periodontist or general dentist?
Most scaling work in Pakistan is done by general dentists — and rightly so. Some advanced periodontitis cases benefit from a periodontist, a specialist with three additional years of post-graduate training in gum and bone disease. Here's when each is the right call.
The right choice for most scaling appointments.
An experienced general dentist or hygienist performs hundreds of cleans a year and handles 95%+ of scaling work in Lahore. For routine scaling, ultrasonic cleans, and per-quadrant SRP on simple periodontitis, a senior general dentist is the right fit — what you get at Odonto by default.
- ✓Routine scaling and polishing
- ✓Mild-to-moderate periodontitis SRP
- ✓Pricing 20–30% lower than specialist
The right choice for advanced gum disease.
A periodontist is needed when pockets are 6mm+, when bone loss is significant, when surgical periodontal therapy is on the cards, or when implants are being planned in compromised bone. We refer to a periodontist within our network when the case warrants it — and we tell you upfront.
- ✓Advanced periodontitis · 6mm+ pockets
- ✓Surgical periodontal therapy
- ✓Pre-implant gum and bone evaluation
Twelve steps. One visit (or two for deep cases).
Every oral hygiene appointment at our Lahore clinic follows the same protocol — whether it's a routine 6-monthly clean or full-mouth deep scaling. You see exactly what we're doing at every stage.
Periodontal exam & pocket charting
We measure pocket depth at 4–6 sites per tooth, record bleeding and plaque indices, and review your X-ray for bone level. This decides whether you need a routine clean or a deep one — written down, not guessed.
Treatment plan & written quote
You see the chart. We talk through what we found and recommend routine scaling, deep cleaning, or a combined approach. A written quote covers everything — no add-ons surprise you mid-appointment.
Local anaesthesia (deep cases only)
For deep scaling and root planing, the quadrant being worked on is fully numbed with local anaesthesia. You feel pressure and vibration only — never sharp pain. Skipped entirely for routine cleans.
Ultrasonic scaling — supragingival
A piezo ultrasonic tip with cool water spray vibrates plaque and tartar off the tooth above the gum line. The bulk of the deposit comes off in this stage. Most patients describe it as a tingling, comfortable sensation.
Hand scaling for fine detail
Curettes reach the spots ultrasonic tips cannot — tighter contacts between teeth, restorative margins, the very fine surface around the gum line. Slower than ultrasonic, but precise where it counts.
Subgingival scaling (deep cases)
Below the gum line, where pockets have formed in periodontitis cases. Hand curettes and a finer ultrasonic tip clean the root surface. This is the part of deep scaling that routine clients never need.
Root planing — smoothing the root
In SRP cases, the root surface is planed smooth so plaque cannot re-attach as easily and the gum can heal back against the tooth. The single most important step for reversing pocket depth.
Air-flow stain removal (where indicated)
A low-pressure spray of fine bicarbonate powder lifts heavy chai, paan, and smoking stains the rubber cup cannot match. Gentle on enamel, fast on stubborn discolouration.
Polishing with prophy paste
Soft rubber cup loaded with prophy paste smooths every surface and lifts the last of the surface stains. Teeth feel cool, slick, and a shade or two brighter — the trademark feeling of a finished scaling and polishing visit.
Fluoride varnish (optional but recommended)
A thin coat of fluoride varnish applied to the dried enamel surface reduces post-treatment sensitivity for 7–14 days and strengthens the surface against new plaque attachment. Always offered after deep cleans.
Disclosing tablet & home-care brief
A disclosing tablet stains any plaque you missed today so we can show you exactly which areas your brushing is leaving behind. Personalised technique advice — interdental brush size, floss thread, electric vs manual — before you walk out.
Recall booked before you leave
Six months for healthy patients. Three months for periodontitis. Booked in your phone before you leave reception so the recall actually happens — and we send a WhatsApp reminder a week before.
Six small habits that hold the result.
A clean mouth stays clean only with consistent home care. Stick to the list below in the days after the cleaning — and from then on, every day.
Brush twice daily with a soft brush
Two minutes, soft bristles, gentle circles at the gum line. A medium or hard brush erodes the gum and root over years — the slow opposite of what scaling tries to fix.
Floss daily — or use an interdental brush
Soft plaque builds up between teeth within 12 hours. Daily flossing is the single most under-rated habit; an interdental brush works better than floss if you have any visible gaps.
Use a chlorhexidine mouthwash for 3–5 days
A short course post-scaling reduces bacterial load during the healing window. Stop after five days to avoid the reversible chlorhexidine staining — fluoride mouthwash thereafter.
Avoid hot drinks for the first 24 hours
Sensitivity is at its peak in the first day. Lukewarm tea and room-temperature meals are kindest to the freshly cleaned tooth surfaces — and keep the chai stains from reattaching too quickly.
Do not smoke for 48 hours
Smoking restricts blood flow to the gum and slows healing significantly. The first 48 hours after a deep clean are when avoiding it matters most. Bonus: the freshly cleaned teeth look better without the smoke film.
Return for the recall — six months, or three
Tartar reforms within 8–12 weeks even with perfect home care. Six-monthly recall is the floor; three months for active periodontitis. Skipping recalls by a year is the single biggest reason patients return needing the deeper protocol.
Four habits that take recall from a chore to a routine.
Aftercare is what you do in the first week after scaling. Long-term care is what you do for the next decade. The four habits below decide whether you become the patient who never needs deep scaling — or the one who returns for it every two years.
Match the recall interval to your gums
Healthy gums every six months. Active periodontitis every three. Smokers and diabetics every three to four. We agree the interval at the consultation and stick to it — written into your patient file.
Add a waterpik if you have crowns or bridges
A waterpik flushes plaque from under bridges, around implants, and along crown margins where floss alone struggles. Roughly PKR 6,000 one-off, lasts years, transforms the long-term result for restorative-heavy mouths.
Switch to an electric toothbrush
Oscillating-rotating electric brushes remove ~20% more plaque than manual brushing. Worth every rupee for periodontitis patients and anyone with limited dexterity. Sonicare and Oral-B mid-tier units do the job — premium models are not necessary.
Keep an eye on bleeding — even a trace
Healthy gums do not bleed. Any bleeding when brushing is gingivitis until proven otherwise. Message the clinic on WhatsApp if you notice it returning — early action is cheap, late action is not.
Six things to know — and the myths Pakistani patients keep hearing.
Most patients have a smooth experience. The six items below cover real short-term effects and the persistent myths — including the big one: scaling does not damage enamel and does not loosen healthy teeth. Here's the honest version.
Cold sensitivity for 1–7 days
Cleaner root surfaces are briefly exposed and react to cold drinks and air. Almost universal after deep scaling, mild after routine. Settles within a week.
Mild gum tenderness for 24–48 hours
Gums may feel slightly tender, with a trace of bleeding when brushing the same evening. Normal, expected, and a sign the inflamed tissue is settling.
Apparent gum recession after scaling
Sometimes patients see what looks like gum recession. The tartar was hiding existing recession; removing it reveals what was already there. Scaling never causes recession by itself — it only un-hides it.
Visible gaps between teeth
Tartar that filled the gap between teeth is gone, leaving a small visible space. Common on lower front teeth in patients who had heavy long-standing tartar. Cosmetic concern only — the underlying anatomy is the same as it always was.
Temporary tooth mobility (deep cases)
In advanced periodontitis cases, removing the tartar that was acting as a wedge can briefly leave a tooth feeling looser. The gum tightens around it within 4–6 weeks as healing progresses.
Scaling does NOT damage enamel
The most common Pakistani patient fear — and the most stubborn myth. Ultrasonic vibration at the correct setting does not abrade enamel. The teeth feel smaller and smoother because the tartar is gone, not because anything was taken from them.
Three different cleans — one of them is what your teeth actually need.
Patients often ask whether home brushing or whitening could replace a scaling visit. The short answer is no — they solve different problems. Here's the comparison.
Twelve answers our Lahore patients ask before booking.
If your question isn't here, message us on WhatsApp — we usually reply within thirty minutes during clinic hours.
How much does scaling and polishing cost in Lahore?+
At Odonto, the scaling of teeth price starts at PKR 3,500 for routine prophylaxis with polishing in a single visit. Ultrasonic-led cleans are PKR 4,500–6,000. Deep scaling and root planing for periodontitis is PKR 4,500 per quadrant, or PKR 15,000 bundled for the full mouth. The combined scaling, polishing and whitening package starts at PKR 22,000.
These are all-inclusive — periodontal exam, ultrasonic and hand scaling, polishing, and hygiene re-education all included. Optional fluoride varnish is +PKR 1,500. The free 15-minute consultation always comes with a written quote before any treatment begins.
How often should I get scaling and polishing?+
Healthy gums benefit from scaling and polishing every 6 months. Mild gingivitis usually needs a 3–4 month recall until the gums settle, then 6 months. Moderate or advanced periodontitis requires a 3-month recall — non-negotiable for keeping pockets stable.
Smokers, diabetics, and patients with crowns or bridges also benefit from a 3–4 month interval. Six-monthly cleaning prevents 80% of the dental problems we treat — the cheapest insurance in dentistry.
Is scaling and polishing painful?+
Routine scaling above the gum line is not painful — most patients describe it as a tingling, vibrating sensation with cool water spray. Mild tenderness for the first day is normal. Deep scaling below the gum line can be more sensitive, which is why we numb each quadrant with local anaesthesia for periodontitis cases.
The first session in a heavily inflamed mouth feels tender; subsequent visits are easier as the gums heal. We adjust ultrasonic power for sensitive teeth and use slower, gentler technique whenever you ask us to.
Does scaling damage or weaken the teeth?+
No. This is the most common myth in Pakistan and the single biggest reason patients postpone the visit. Scaling does not damage enamel. The ultrasonic vibrations remove tartar — the hardened mineral deposit — without abrading the underlying tooth structure.
What patients describe as "teeth feeling smaller" after scaling is the absence of the rough tartar layer they had grown used to. The teeth feel smoother and a touch shorter at the gum line because the tartar is gone, not because anything has been taken from the tooth itself.
Will scaling loosen my teeth?+
No. Scaling does not cause tooth mobility in healthy mouths. In advanced periodontitis cases — where bone loss has already happened — removing the calculus that was acting as a wedge can briefly make a tooth feel looser. The gum tightens around the tooth within 4–6 weeks of healing.
A tooth that feels loose after scaling was already loose before scaling — the calculus was hiding the mobility. Treating the periodontitis with deep scaling and root planing is what saves the tooth long-term, not avoiding the cleaning.
Will scaling create gaps between my teeth?+
Scaling does not create gaps — it can reveal gaps that were hidden under tartar. When calculus fills the spaces between teeth and along the gum line, it acts like a wedge filling the space. Removing it shows the actual anatomy that was always underneath.
The gum, no longer pushed away by calculus, may also reposition slightly. This is healing, not damage. If a visible gap is a cosmetic concern, dental bonding or a small composite filling can close it for PKR 4,500–6,000 per tooth.
What is the difference between routine scaling and deep cleaning?+
Routine scaling and polishing is a single 30–45 minute visit cleaning above the gum line — the standard 6-monthly hygiene appointment. Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing (SRP), goes below the gum line into pockets that have formed in periodontitis cases, often with local anaesthesia, split across 1–2 visits.
A periodontal exam at the start of the appointment decides which one you need. Healthy gums and pocket depths under 4mm — routine. Pocket depths of 4mm or more, bleeding, recession, or bone loss on X-ray — deep. We tell you in writing.
What is the difference between plaque and tartar?+
Plaque is the soft, sticky bacterial film that forms on teeth within hours of brushing. You can remove it with a toothbrush and floss. Tartar (also called calculus) is plaque that has hardened by absorbing minerals from saliva — usually within 24–72 hours of being missed.
Once plaque has hardened into tartar, no toothbrush, mouthwash, or home gadget will remove it. Only an ultrasonic scaler or a hand curette in professional hands can shift it. That is why scaling is the only solution for tartar buildup, and why prevention through daily brushing is so much cheaper than removal later.
Can scaling whiten my teeth?+
Scaling and polishing remove surface stains from chai, paan, coffee, tea, smoking, and red wine — most patients see teeth one or two shades brighter after the appointment. But scaling does not change the deeper internal colour of the tooth itself.
For a real shade change, you need a separate whitening treatment. The combined scaling + polishing + chair-side whitening package (from PKR 22,000) is the most effective way to get both — surface stains and deep colour — addressed in one visit. Whitening is always done after scaling, never before.
Is scaling safe during pregnancy?+
Yes — and it is actively recommended. Pregnancy hormones make gums more reactive, and pregnancy gingivitis affects up to 70% of women. Scaling during the second trimester is the safest window and helps reduce the link between gum disease and pre-term birth.
Tell us at booking if you are pregnant so we can plan a comfortable, position-friendly appointment with a slightly reclined chair, shorter sessions if you prefer, and no unnecessary X-rays or medications.
Is scaling safe for sensitive teeth?+
Yes. We adjust ultrasonic power and use slower, gentler technique for sensitive teeth, and we apply a desensitising fluoride varnish at the end of the appointment for any patient with sensitivity history (+PKR 1,500). If sensitivity has been long-standing, it is often the tartar itself irritating the gum — once cleaned, sensitivity often improves rather than worsens.
Use a desensitising toothpaste (Sensodyne, Colgate Sensitive) twice daily for two weeks before and after the visit if cold sensitivity is your main concern.
Government dental hospital or private clinic for scaling?+
Government and teaching dental hospitals in Lahore offer subsidised scaling at very low prices — but the trade-offs are long appointment queues, junior dentists or house officers performing the procedure, and basic ultrasonic instruments. Acceptable for routine cleans on simple cases.
Private clinics like Odonto charge full market price but you see a senior clinician on your scheduled date, with modern piezo ultrasonic units, a written quote before any work begins, and itemised invoices for any insurance claim. The price difference is real — so is what you get for it.
Dr. Mian Momin Ahmad
“Every week I see patients who have spent six figures on crowns, root canals and extractions for problems that started as bleeding gums they were too busy to address. Scaling and polishing every six months prevents 80% of the dental problems we treat — that's not a slogan, it's a number we measure. The visit takes 30 to 45 minutes, costs 3,500 rupees, and removes the calculus no toothbrush can shift. The myth that scaling damages teeth is the most expensive idea in Pakistani dentistry. The truth is the opposite: scaling protects what you have. We'll show you the X-ray, explain the case, and put a written quote in your hand before any treatment begins.”
What our scaling patients said about the visit.
Six recent reviews from patients who had scaling work done at Odonto. Names are accurate where the patient was happy to share them; treatment details and dates are real.
“Hadn’t had a scaling in nearly four years. Bleeding gums every morning. Two visits later — full-mouth deep clean — and the bleeding is completely gone. Should have done it years ago.”
“Heavy chai stains and yellow tartar all along the bottom front teeth. Forty-five minutes later they were the same colour as the upper teeth. The polishing makes the difference.”
“Did the scaling and whitening combo two weeks before my wedding. Friends could not believe the difference. Coffee stains gone, gums settled, photos came out so much better.”
“I am a heavy smoker and was nervous about being judged at the appointment. Dr. Momin was completely matter-of-fact, cleaned forty cigarettes worth of stain off my teeth, and gave me a real plan to keep them clean.”
“Had been told at another clinic that scaling would loosen my teeth — so I avoided it for a decade. Came to Odonto, they explained it carefully, did the deep clean over two visits. Teeth feel solid and the breath is fresh.”
“My periodontist had me on 3-monthly maintenance. Switched to Odonto for the recalls — same protocol, much friendlier hygiene team, and they remember the case every time.”
Real Lahore patients. Real outcomes.
Long-form case studies from our patient archive. Every photo was taken in our Engineers Town clinic with patient consent.
Four ways to pay for scaling work.
We don't want cost to be the reason a recall is missed. The four payment paths below cover almost every patient's situation — discussed openly at the consultation, no pressure, no awkwardness.
Treatments, problems, and terminology.
Related treatments
What it relates to
Cleaner teeth. Healthier gums.
Book a free 15-minute consultation. We'll examine your gums, tell you whether routine cleaning or deep scaling is needed, and put a written quote in your hand — same day. No pressure to book the cleaning the same visit, and no hidden charges if you do.