On average, a routine dental cleaning will take thirty minutes to one hour. If you are new to a dental clinic, however, your first dental cleaning might take closer to one hour, with the potential of going slightly over. Because dentists like to be thorough, they may request additional x-rays or exams to ensure that they have entirely assessed your dental health and provide you with the care you need going forward.
In the end, a thorough provider is generally a good provider. Missed or unaddressed dental concerns can be costly and painful if not caught early.