Scaling & Root Planing in Pooler, GA
Puffy, bleeding gums are easy to brush off as just being too rough with your toothbrush or floss. However, when tartar has spread below the gumline, that irritation is often a sign of gum disease taking hold, and a regular cleaning is not enough to stop it. Scaling and root planing provides a way to treat the problem at its source before it costs you irreversible bone or tooth loss.
At Godley Station Dental, we treat gum disease with a deep cleaning method built to remove what a standard cleaning can’t reach. We serve patients throughout Pooler and surrounding areas and we want you to understand exactly what this treatment involves, when we recommend it, and what recovery looks like.
What Is Scaling and Root Planing?
Scaling and root planing is a two-part deep cleaning that targets the area below your gumline. Scaling removes plaque and hardened tartar from the tooth surface and from the pockets that form between your teeth and gums. Root planing follows by smoothing the root surfaces underneath, which helps your gum tissue reattach to the tooth and makes it harder for bacteria to collect there again.
Unlike a routine cleaning, which focuses on the visible parts of your teeth, this procedure reaches beneath the gum tissue where you can’t access it with a toothbrush or floss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that scaling and root planing, sometimes called deep cleaning, is a nonsurgical way to treat the affected tooth and root surfaces in patients with periodontitis.
When We Recommend This Treatment
We may recommend scaling and root planing if your gum disease has moved beyond the earliest stage. Signs that point to this include gum pockets of 4 millimeters or deeper, gums that bleed easily, or visible tartar buildup below the gumline. These findings typically show up during a routine exam or a dedicated periodontal evaluation.
Moderate to severe gum disease, known as periodontitis, affects a significant share of the adult population. According to the CDC, about 4 in 10 U.S. adults 30 years or older had a mild, moderate, or severe level of periodontitis between 2009 and 2014, with the condition growing more common with age. Catching it early with treatment can help protect your smile for years to come.
What the Procedure Involves
Most patients complete scaling and root planing over two visits, with our team treating one side of the mouth, or two quadrants, at each appointment. This approach allows us to work thoroughly without asking you to sit through a single long session.
Before we begin, we apply a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area so you stay comfortable. From there, we use specialized instruments to clear away tartar and smooth each root surface. There are a few things to expect during your visits, including:
- Numbing typically starts working within a few minutes of application.
- Each quadrant takes about 45 minutes to an hour to treat.
- We may recommend spacing your two visits about one to two weeks apart.
Once both quadrants are complete, we schedule a follow-up to check how your gums are healing and confirm the pockets are shrinking as expected.
Recovery and What to Expect Afterward
Most patients return to normal activities the same day, though your gums may feel tender or slightly swollen for a few days. Sticking to soft foods and avoiding anything too hot or spicy for the first day or two can help minimize discomfort. Mild sensitivity to temperature is common as your gums heal and reattach to the tooth surface.
We may also recommend antibiotic therapy as a companion treatment, particularly for pockets that need extra help clearing bacteria. This option pairs well with scaling and root planing as part of a broader gum disease treatment plan, and we can help you understand whether it fits your situation.
Consistent care afterward is as critically necessary as the procedure itself. We typically recommend more frequent cleanings, known as periodontal maintenance, to keep new tartar from forming in the pockets that have started to heal.
Protect Your Smile for the Long Term With Scaling and Root Planing at Godley Station Dental
Dr. Matthew Allen and our team have served Pooler and surrounding areas for more than two decades, and we built our approach around a calm, patient-centered experience that makes treatments like this feel manageable rather than intimidating. Whether you are coming in for your first deep cleaning or returning for follow-up periodontal maintenance, you will find the same steady, thorough care every time. Schedule an appointment today and let us help you get your gum health back on track.
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Our Location
We are conveniently located in Pooler, Georgia, just minutes from Savannah!
Godley Station Professional Park
1000 Towne Center Blvd
Suite #101
Pooler, GA 31322
Our Hours
| Monday | 7:30am-5pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30am-5pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30am-5pm |
| Thursday | 7:30am-5pm |
| Friday | 7:30am-4pm |