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Dental costs in Altadena, CA: local dentist prices

Observed negotiated prices for 5 treatments from dental practices located in Altadena.

Treatments priced
5
in this city
Largest sample
10
practices
State
California
see statewide data
Observed dataObserved negotiated rates. Every figure here is a real negotiated amount taken from payer files published under the federal Transparency in Coverage rule. These are what a dental plan pays a contracted practice - not a cash price.
Estimated self-payEstimated self-pay range, not an observation. We do not have observed cash prices, and we will not present a modelled number as though we did. This range is the upper half of the same observed negotiated distribution, shown because an uninsured patient generally pays at or above the highest negotiated tier. Treat it as a budgeting aid and ask any practice for a written quote.

Observed prices in Altadena

Negotiated columns are observed. The self-pay column is an estimate derived from the upper half of the same distribution — see methodology. Column headings sort the table.
Treatment Negotiated range Observed MedianSpread Practices (n) Est. self-pay Estimated
Gum surgery (per quadrant)$836 – $959$95010$950 – $1,100
Deep cleaning, four or more teeth per quadrant$178 – $197$19010$190 – $229
Ongoing gum maintenance cleaning$110 – $120$1109$110 – $123
Deep cleaning, one to three teeth per quadrant$91 – $104$9210$92 – $172
Full-mouth X-ray series$79 – $98$8210$82 – $121

Altadena compared with California

Across the 5 treatments we can price in both Altadena and California as a whole, 3 run above the state median and 2 below. The largest local saving is on Deep cleaning, one to three teeth per quadrant: $92 here against $110 statewide.

See the California state page for the full statewide picture and every other published city.

What shopping around is worth in Altadena

Every figure on this site is a distribution, not an average, so the gap between the cheaper and dearer end of the local market can be stated in dollars. On Gum surgery (per quadrant) alone, the difference between a practice at the 25th percentile and one at the 75th is $123. Across the 1 treatments below it comes to $123.

Observed negotiated prices in Altadena, CA. The gap is what moving from an expensive practice to a cheaper one is worth for the same treatment.
Treatment Lower end (25th)Upper end (75th) GapPractices (n)
Gum surgery (per quadrant)$836$959$12310

This is an argument for collecting itemised written quotes rather than accepting the first, particularly on the larger items — see how to read a treatment plan.

Other cities in California

California overview · All treatments · Methodology

Common questions

How many Altadena practices are behind these figures?

Between 9 and 10 depending on the treatment, shown per row above. A Altadena figure is published only when at least 8 separate practices in the city carried a negotiated rate for it.

Will a Altadena dentist charge me these amounts?

Not if you are paying cash. These are rates negotiated between plans and contracted practices in Altadena. Uninsured patients are normally quoted higher. Ask any practice for an itemised written quote — that is the only number that binds them.