General Dentistry in Rancho Bernardo
Taking care of your dental health starts with a strong foundation: regular cleanings, exams, and preventive treatments. General dentistry provides that essential care, combining tooth preservation, gum health, cavity prevention, and early diagnosis of oral diseases. At Plaza Dentistry, our goal is to help Rancho Bernardo families enjoy healthy, pain-free smiles at every life stage.
We focus on building relationships through clear communication, compassionate care, and trusted expertise, whether you’re a longtime patient or visiting us for the first time. By addressing dental concerns early and educating patients, we aim to prevent more serious issues down the line, saving time, stress, and money. Step into our bright, welcoming office knowing your smile is in skilled hands.
What Is General Dentistry?
General dentistry refers to the routine and foundational care necessary to maintain healthy teeth and gums. This includes:
- Comprehensive oral exams featuring visual inspections, intraoral camera checks, and digital X‑rays to spot decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth wear.
- Professional dental cleanings (prophylaxis) to remove plaque, tartar, and stains, essential for preventing cavities and gingivitis.
- Digital X‑rays and 3D imaging for early diagnosis of hidden problems.
- Periodontal care, including deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) for gum disease treatment.
- Dental fillings to restore cavities using tooth-colored composite or traditional amalgam.
- Preventive education, covering brushing, flossing, sealants, fluoride use, dietary advice, and habit counseling.
- Minor restorative work, such as crowns, bridges, root canal treatment referrals, and monitoring of early-stage dental problems.
General dentistry is the cornerstone of oral health. Catching small issues early helps preserve your smile and prevents more costly, complex procedures later on.
Why Choose Plaza Dentistry for General Care?
Here’s what sets Plaza Dentistry apart for general dentistry in Rancho Bernardo:
- Highly experienced dentists: Drs. Michael Payor and Diana Cluff‑Payor bring over 45 years of combined dental experience. They provide personalized care with warmth, empathy, and respect.
- Advanced diagnostic tools: We use digital impressions, high-resolution intraoral cameras, and low-radiation digital X‑rays to ensure precise detection and treatment.
- Focus on comfort: Our Rancho Bernardo office promotes a relaxed atmosphere with TVs in treatment rooms, sedation options, and kid-friendly touches, ideal for patients with dental anxiety.
- Preventive-first approach: Our goal is to avoid unnecessary treatments through regular exams, professional cleanings, and early intervention steps like sealants and fluoride.
- Insurance & financing We work with most major dental insurance plans and offer CareCredit financing to make quality dental care affordable and stress-free.
- Community-based care: As a local, family-owned practice, we’ve proudly served Rancho Bernardo, Carmel Mountain, Poway, and surrounding neighborhoods for over two decades.
When you choose Plaza Dentistry, you gain more than a treatment; you gain a lasting dental partnership.
Preventive Care & Cleanings
The foundation of a healthy smile lies in prevention. Regular cleanings and checkups help maintain gum health and stop decay in its tracks. Here’s what you can expect:
- Biannual exams and cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, reducing the risk of gum disease.
- Early detection of cavities, cracked teeth, or early gum recession during checkups prevents progression.
- Dental sealants and fluoride treatments add protective layers against cavities, especially for children and high-risk adults.
- Habit counseling for nutrition, tobacco, clenching/grinding, and night guard use to protect enamel.
- Home-care education tailored to your dental needs and lifestyle, whether that involves electric brushing, flossing techniques, or water irrigation.
Most preventive visits take about one hour. Our hygienists combine gentle technique with meticulous attention to detail, leaving patients with fresher, brighter smiles and peace of mind.
Restorative Treatments
When minor dental issues arise, Plaza Dentistry is ready with effective, conservative restorative solutions:
- Tooth-colored fillings restore function and appearance for small to medium cavities.
- Custom dental crowns repair cracked, weakened, or extensively decayed teeth using tooth-colored materials for lasting durability.
- Root canal therapy referrals are provided for infected teeth to relieve pain and prevent tooth loss.
- Replacing missing teeth with bridges or temporary dentures ensures proper bite function and prevents neighboring teeth from shifting.
- Dental emergencies, including broken, knocked-out, or severely painful teeth—are treated promptly, with same-day appointments available when needed.
Each restorative procedure is performed with comfort in mind and focused on maintaining as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Gum Health & Periodontal Care
Healthy gums are the foundation of oral health, so we take periodontal wellness seriously:
- Periodontal screenings at each checkup assess gum pocket depths, inflammation, and bone status.
- Non-surgical deep cleanings (scaling and root planing) remove plaque and bacterial toxins from pockets, often halting or reversing early gum disease.
- Maintenance cleanings every 3–4 months for patients with a history of gum disease, to prevent recurrence.
- Gum care education for improved home hygiene, nutritional choices, and quitting tobacco.
- Specialist referrals for advanced periodontal or surgical care when necessary, always coordinated and supportive.
Our approach allows most patients to manage gum disease without invasive procedures, protecting their natural dentition for life.
Pediatric & Family Dentistry
We welcome families from toddlers to grandparents and take time to make children feel comfortable:
- Kid-friendly cleanings and exams with fluoride, sealants, and cavity prevention tips tailored to children.
- Gentle habit coaching for thumb sucking, pacifier use, and oral hygiene habits.
- Early orthodontic referrals when bite issues or crowding appear.
- Monitoring baby teeth health to prevent decay and support proper growth.
- Family scheduling and reminders to make visits simple and stress-free for everyone.
Plaza Dentistry prioritizes first-rate preventive care and early interventions to save children from future dental issues.
Cosmetic Treatments & General Crossover
While general dentists primarily focus on oral health, cosmetic enhancements are often part of our services:
- Teeth whitening brightens smiles safely with professional in-office or take-home options.
- Composite bonding repairs small chips, fills gaps, and improves tooth shape with a natural-looking finish.
- Invisalign is available via our certified providers. It’s ideal for correcting alignment while maintaining routine dental care at our office.
- Gum contouring enhances smile symmetry and gum-line aesthetics for select patients, making crowns or whitening shine even more.
These enhancements complement general dentistry and often enhance self-confidence alongside oral health.
Technology & Comfort Measures
Plaza Dentistry blends modern technology with patient-centered comfort enhancements:
- Digital scanners replace messy impressions with accurate optical scans.
- Intraoral cameras let you see exactly what we see, facilitating transparent communication.
- Low-radiation digital X-rays provide detailed imagery with minimal exposure.
- Comfort amenities like TVs in each room, plush blankets, and headphones help patients relax.
- Sedation options, including nitrous (laughing gas), allow gentle visits for anxious children or adults.
Together, these tools and practices create both superior care and a stress-free experience every visit.
Insurance, Payment & Accessibility
Making dental care accessible is a top priority:
- We accept most major dental insurance plans and help maximize your benefits.
- For cosmetic or self-pay cases not covered by insurance, we offer CareCredit financing and in-office payment options
- No hidden fees: estimates are provided in writing before services begin.
- Family scheduling and appointment reminders make regular care easy.
- We also offer emergency dental care, with same-day availability for urgent pain or trauma.
We believe quality dentistry should be affordable, transparent, and convenient for all families.
Community Commitment
Ready to Begin General Dental Care in Rancho Bernardo?
Your smile is the cornerstone of health, happiness, and confidence. From prevention to restoration, Plaza Dentistry offers expert, compassionate general dentistry customized for you and your family. Keep your smile at its best, schedule your next routine exam, cleaning, or consultation today.