Gum Disease Treatment Cost in Canada (2026)
Gum disease treatment in Canada ranges from $50–$87 per scaling unit for non-surgical therapy (from our provincial dataset) to $1,000–$3,500+ for surgical periodontal procedures (2026 market estimate). A full-mouth deep cleaning runs approximately $200–$700 CAD. The CDCP covers scaling up to 4 units per year — surgical therapy is generally excluded.
Estimate your CDCP out-of-pocket for deep cleaning
Scaling and root planing is covered by the CDCP for patients aged 17 and older, up to 4 units per 12-month period without pre-authorization. Use the calculator below to estimate your out-of-pocket share based on your province and income tier under the 2026 CDCP Dental Benefit Grids.
Gum Disease Deep Cleaning CDCP Out-of-Pocket Calculator
Scaling/root planing — 4 units per 12 months covered • Province × income tier • 2026 CAD
paymentsCDCP Coverage & Out-of-Pocket Estimate
* Estimates based on 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides (CAD). Actual costs vary by province and provider; figures flagged as estimates are modelled.
The CDCP reimburses based on its own established fee grid, which is often lower than the provincial suggested-fee guide. Even at the under-$70,000 income tier (100% coverage), a balance may apply if your dentist bills above the CDCP rate.
Scaling cost by province (2026)
Deep cleaning fees vary considerably across provinces. Alberta charges the highest per-unit fee at $87.25; Atlantic provinces range from $54 to $77. The data below comes from our open provincial dataset (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.20744781).
Source: Real Dental Costs analysis of 2025–2026 provincial suggested-fee guides. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec and New Brunswick are flagged as estimates where fee guides are not publicly available.
| Province | Scaling per Unit (CAD) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Prince Edward Island | $54 | Dataset |
| Nova Scotia | $56 | Dataset |
| Saskatchewan (est.) | $50–$58 | Estimate |
| Manitoba (est.) | $50–$70 | Estimate |
| British Columbia | $59–$61 | Dataset |
| Quebec (est.) | $55–$65 | Estimate |
| Alberta | $87 | Dataset |
| New Brunswick (est.) | $72–$74 | Estimate |
| Newfoundland | $77 | Dataset |
| Ontario | $65–$70 | Dataset |
Gum disease treatment options and costs
Treatment intensity scales with disease severity. The cost table below combines our provincial dataset figures for scaling with 2026 market estimates for procedures not found in fee guides.
Scaling/root planing per unit from provincial dataset. Full-mouth deep cleaning, surgical therapy and maintenance are 2026 market estimates from Canadian periodontal clinics.
| Treatment | Low (CAD) | Avg (CAD) | High (CAD) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scaling/root planing (per unit) | $50 | $65 | $87 | Provincial dataset |
| Full-mouth deep cleaning (4–8 units) | $200 | $400 | $700 | Market estimate |
| Osseous/flap surgery (per quadrant) | $1,000 | $2,000 | $3,500 | Market estimate |
| Periodontal maintenance recall | $150 | $250 | $450 | Market estimate |
Non-surgical therapy
For gingivitis and mild to moderate periodontitis, non-surgical scaling and root planing is the primary treatment. The dentist or hygienist removes plaque, tartar (calculus) and bacterial toxins from below the gum line using ultrasonic scalers and hand instruments. Root surfaces are then planed to remove rough areas where bacteria accumulate and to help gum tissue reattach.
A full course of non-surgical therapy typically requires 2–4 appointments. Most patients are then placed on a 3-month periodontal maintenance schedule rather than the standard 6-month recall.
Surgical therapy
When non-surgical treatment fails to eliminate deep pockets or bone defects, periodontal surgery is considered. Common surgical options include:
Flap surgery (osseous surgery): The gum is folded back to allow direct access to roots and bone, tartar is removed, and irregular bone is reshaped to eliminate pockets. This is the most common surgical approach for moderate to severe periodontitis.
Bone grafting and guided tissue regeneration: For significant bone loss, graft material (synthetic, donor or the patient's own bone) is placed to encourage new bone growth. This adds $500–$1,500 to the base surgical cost as a 2026 market estimate.
Both surgical procedures are performed under local anaesthetic, often with oral sedation available at an additional cost.
Stages of gum disease and what treatment each requires
| Stage | Description | Typical Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Gingivitis | Gum inflammation, no bone loss, reversible | Professional cleaning + improved home care |
| Periodontitis Stage 1–2 | Mild to moderate bone loss (up to 33%) | Scaling/root planing (4–8 units) |
| Periodontitis Stage 3 | Severe bone loss, tooth mobility possible | Scaling + possible surgery |
| Periodontitis Stage 4 | Severe bone loss, tooth loss risk high | Surgical therapy + restorative planning |
Early intervention is far less expensive. Catching gum disease at the gingivitis or early periodontitis stage means non-surgical cleaning may be sufficient — avoiding the $1,000–$3,500 cost of osseous surgery.
CDCP coverage: what's covered vs what's not
| Procedure | CDCP Covered? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Scaling/root planing (up to 4 units/year) | Yes | Age 17+, no pre-auth required |
| Scaling beyond 4 units/year | Pre-auth required | Clinical justification required |
| Periodontal maintenance recall | Partial | Frequency limits apply |
| Osseous/flap surgery | No | Excluded from all CDCP benefit tiers |
| Bone grafting | No | Excluded |
| Guided tissue regeneration | No | Excluded |
Patients whose gum disease requires surgical intervention must fund it personally unless they carry private group insurance with a periodontal surgery benefit.
Open dataset
Scaling/root planing fees on this page come from our publicly licensed dataset:
Full-mouth deep cleaning totals, surgical therapy and maintenance fees are 2026 market estimates from Canadian periodontal clinics and are flagged as such throughout this page.
Related pages
- Gum Graft Cost in Canada — surgical gum grafts for gum recession: types, costs and CDCP exclusions
- Receding Gums Treatment Cost in Canada — non-surgical and surgical options for gum recession
- CDCP Coverage Guide — full coverage matrix, income tiers and pre-authorization rules
- Dental Costs in Canada — all procedures, recall exam to implants
- Dental Cost by Province — complete provincial cost comparison
Frequently asked questions
How much does gum disease treatment cost in Canada?
Does the CDCP cover gum disease treatment?
What are the stages of gum disease?
How many scaling units do I need?
What is the difference between regular cleaning and deep cleaning?
Can gum disease be reversed?
Independent dental pricing research — figures verified against provincial suggested-fee guides (ODA, ACDQ, BCDA, etc.) and the CDCP coverage rules published on canada.ca. Pricing/market research, not medical or dental advice.
This page provides pricing and market research information, NOT medical or dental advice. Real Dental Costs is an independent data publisher and is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or Sun Life Financial. Surgical periodontal therapy and maintenance figures are 2026 market estimates from Canadian clinic data and have not been sourced from official provincial fee guides.