A deep cleaning (also called root planing or perio scaling) will usually
take 30-45 minutes per quadrant.  Anesthesia is usually used too - usually
injections, but on some occasions only a  gel anesthetic can be used.  Also,
prior to your root planing, you should have had measurements made of your
gum pockets, called Periodontal Charting.  When pockets are over 5mm in
depth is when most dentists agree a root planing is indicated.

Sounds to me like something is wrong.  Maybe you had only half of your deep
cleaning and they billed the entire mouth out accidentally?  (billing errors
do happen).  You should contact the office and ask for an explanation.  If
they cannot give you a reasonable answer, go to the office in person and ask
for a photocopy of your dental chart.  That will tell you more.  They might
charge you a little (like 25 cents a page or so) for the copies, but that is
legal.

It is possible to root plane an entire mouth in only 20 minutes, but highly
unlikely!  Maybe you have only 4 or 5 teeth left?  Kidding.....  Anyway, no
reputable dentist would recommend that practice....... I usually spend
60 -90 minutes for 2 quadrants of root planing, and use anesthesia.

BTW  Why didn't you have to pay anything?  Usually there is a copay and
deductible involved.  If they waived it, thats illegal on their part.

Dr. Abu

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    Truth is, generally with participating dental plans, dentists will bill
for periodontal codes inappropriately.  You would have to be bionic to
do a real deep cleaning in 4 quadrants in 20 minutes, but we've heard of
patients getting it done in 10 minutes!
    Many insurance companies are cracking down on this practice, but in the
plans with low annual maximum benefits they frequently look the other
way.  Many plans will however at least ask for a detailed periodontal
charting to justify using the periodontal codes.
    In any case, it's unlikely IMO that the insurance company will
investigate further unless you file a complaint.
    Everything Dr. Abu said is correct.  Look at your explanation of
benefits carefully--was the dentist actually REIMBURSED $188 per
quadrant?  Or was this the dentist's charge, and was he actually
reimbursed at a far lower rate?
    BTW, it is not always clear whether a dentist is "waiving copayment" or
not.  I participate in plans that advise me to enter my regular fee,
which the insurance company will then reduce to the maximum allowable
fee under the contract.

Steve

Who is your insurance company?