Dental care for every age, in one Murrieta office

How often should I go to the dentist?

It depends on your mouth. The ADA says there is no one-size-fits-all schedule: some people need one or two visits a year, and others need more. Your dentist will recommend what’s right for you.

At a checkup, your dentist or hygienist reviews your health history, examines your mouth, checks your gums and screens for oral cancer. X-rays are taken when your dentist needs them to see what an exam can’t show.

Professional cleanings matter because plaque that hardens into tartar can only be removed by a dental professional. Start with cleanings and exams, and if your gums bleed, read about gum disease treatment.

What preventive care do kids get?

Kids get the same careful checkups, plus extras that protect growing teeth. Our care for children has included fluoride, sealants, dietary counseling and checks for habits like thumb-sucking and pacifier use, and parents are welcome to stay with their child.

The ADA recommends a baby’s first dental visit after the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday. Sealants help too: the CDC says they can prevent up to 80% of cavities in back teeth for 2 years.

Read our guide to your child’s first dental visit and our children’s dentistry page.

When do you need a filling, crown or bridge?

Restorative care repairs teeth that are decayed, broken or missing. A tooth-colored filling repairs a cavity, while a crown is a cap that covers a tooth to restore its shape and size.

The ADA says crowns can protect a weak tooth from breaking, restore a broken tooth or support a tooth with a large filling. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth and is anchored to the neighboring teeth.

Is there a difference between a regular dentist and a cosmetic dentist?

Cosmetic dentistry is not one of the 12 dental specialties recognized by the ADA’s National Commission. General dentists provide cosmetic care such as whitening and veneers. It’s always fair to ask about a dentist’s experience with the treatment you want.

Veneers are thin, custom-made coverings for the front of teeth that can improve chipped, stained or uneven teeth and mask gaps. The ADA notes that placing a veneer is irreversible, because some enamel must be removed.

Explore cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers and teeth whitening.

What specialist care is coming to Golden Triangle?

Specialist care for oral surgery, root canal treatment, braces and aligners, and children’s dentistry will be available right here, so you will not need to travel to another office. We’ll introduce the dentists providing this care on our doctors page.

Learn more about root canal treatment, wisdom teeth and oral surgery and braces and clear aligners.

• Root canal treatment removes inflamed or infected pulp from inside a tooth, then cleans and seals it so you can keep your natural tooth, according to the AAE, the national association for root canal care.
• Wisdom teeth usually come in between ages 17 and 25. The AAOMS, the national oral surgery association, says removal is generally advised when they cause pain, infection, gum disease, cavities or damage to nearby teeth.
• Braces and clear aligners, such as the Invisalign system, can straighten teeth for kids, teens and adults. The AAO, the national orthodontic association, recommends a child’s first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7.
• Children’s dentistry helps kids feel at home in the dental chair, from their first visit onward.

Can dental implants be placed in your office?

Yes. Dental implants are placed in our office, from start to finish, so your implant care stays in one familiar place.

The ADA describes implants as posts surgically placed in the jaw. Over several months, the bone grows around the implant, and then a crown, bridge or denture is attached. Good general health matters more than age, while conditions like diabetes and tobacco use can slow healing.

3D imaging, which the FDA lists for implant planning, is being added to the office. Learn more about dental implants, 3D imaging and what affects implant cost.

What is considered a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is a problem that needs care right away, like a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, severe tooth pain or swelling. Call us at (951) 677-1054 and our team will answer your questions about next steps.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, keep it moist. The ADA suggests placing it back in the socket without touching the root if you can, or keeping it in milk or between your cheek and gum, and getting to a dentist right away.

If the office is closed, the ADA advises visiting your local emergency room. Read more about emergency dental care, toothaches and broken or chipped teeth.

Does Golden Triangle take my insurance?

Yes. Golden Triangle has cared for Murrieta families since 1991, and the office works with most dental insurance plans, including most PPOs. It continues to accept the same plans as before, including the UFCW member dental plan.

You can pay by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express or CareCredit, and more payment choices are being added. Many dental benefits renew at the end of the year, and our team is happy to help you use yours before then. See insurance, UFCW members and financing.

Questions & answers

Common questions