Smiles matter more than we realize. Volumes of research confirm the influential role of smiles in our relationships and our self-esteem. If you're confident, you smile more. If you smile more, you feel more confident. But what if you don't want to flash those pearly whites because you're embarrassed? The effects of an unattractive smile may ripple through your life. Fortunately, a growing range of options enables anyone to enjoy a stunning new smile. Dr. Chung passion for enhancing smiles brings you the best in modern dentistry.

A long-lasting choice, implant-supported dentistry brings you as close to growing new teeth as possible. Expertly placed in the same bone that once supported teeth, you'll enjoy the strength and function of a natural tooth. Modern porcelains produce a result so life-like, you may forget they aren't your natural teeth. Dentures can also be attached to implants when more than one missing tooth needs to be replaced. The stability and sense of confidence you develop with implants will leave you smiling.

Dr. Ricky Chung uses the latest technology to collect all the data necessary to help plan your restorative case. Digital x-rays, 3D mapping, models, and photographs prove valuable. Dr. Ricky Chung uses highly regarded specialists to bring all components of your case together. But at all times, he serves as the quarterback of the entire plan.

IMPLANTS (SURGICAL)

Many patients find the procedure of implant placement easier than they anticipated. Modern dental anesthetic numbs the site, and experienced hands carefully place the implant. A tiny guide hole provides a path for threading a small implant cylinder into place. The sterile piece is inserted into an exact location, and a smooth cover, or healing cap, protects the implant during the healing period.

In some cases, a temporary or permanent crown may be inserted at the time of surgery.

Implants can't withstand normal bite forces until the bone has integrated fully into the implant body. Dr. Ricky Chung will help you decide what will work best during the initial healing period, ensuring you’re able to function while still protecting your implants. This period usually lasts 3-6 months as the bone grows around the implant. Most patients experience minimal discomfort after placement, especially compared to an extraction.

IMPLANTS (RESTORATIVE)

A well thought out treatment plan that includes implants creates the opportunity for different restoration options.

After the healing period, crowns or bridges are custom-made and attached to the implants with small screws or dental cement.

ONE OF HEALTHCARE'S GREATEST VALUES

Even with all the benefits, the cost of dental implants are an important consideration. When your case brings together the latest imaging, advanced training, and modern materials, this service offers one of the best values in health care. Compared to the replacement of other parts of the body, most dental implant procedures can be done at a small fraction of those costs. Most patients carry on with normal activities right away and usually enjoy a lifetime of normal chewing, bite stability, and appearance. We know the cost of dental implants is an important part of creating a complete plan that works for you.

The cost of dental implant services involves several critical factors unique to each patient. A fee quoted without careful evaluation and treatment planning may not only be incomplete, but doesn't consider what's best for your mouth as an individual. The doctor customizes your treatment plan after careful evaluation your current oral conditions, needs, wants, and budget.

One thing is certain: You'll get the highest value possible in modern implant dentistry. That means years of natural function and a smile you are proud to show. We look forward to discussing how we can partner together for the best solution for you!

Our friendly team is excited to meet you! We are dedicated to providing personal care, and you can count on us to give you our full attention throughout your entire appointment. Call Palm Court Dental today at (909) 829-3994 to make your appointment with our dentists in Fontana, California, and learn more about our dental services.

Cavities and small fractures can cause much larger issues if left untreated. In the past, metal restorations called amalgam fillings (or silver fillings) served a need but left many teeth discolored and strained from the wedging effect of the metal. Today, tooth-colored composite resins blend into the tooth structure and are chemically bonded to the tooth providing a strong, permanent restoration.

Composites serve both functional and aesthetic roles, often at the same time. For example, a cavity invading the front of a tooth along the gum line may be visible in your smile line. By gently cleaning out the soft, discolored area and replacing it with a tooth-colored filling, the tooth is restored and looks better than ever.

Composites contain a mix of liquid resin embedded with finely ground glass particles. After being molded to the prepared tooth structure, a blue light applied directly to the composite hardens the filling material within seconds. Once it’s shaped and polished to a high shine, the restoration is complete.

Dr. Vavra and Angie Vavra established Palm Court Dental in 1992 with the belief that when you change someone’s smile, you change their life. They grew the practice with gentleness and patience in mind, helping children and adults find a relaxing and comfortable experience. In 2017, Dr. Chung bought the practice with the same beliefs and continues to stay in touch with the latest technology through continuing education and surrounding himself with the best staff and laboratories.

Our dentists and team have offered high-quality, heartfelt care for patients of all ages. We strive to deliver an exceptional experience, taking the time to listen to you and understand your needs and expectations so that we can provide you with the highest possible level of care. We offer a full range of services to meet your oral health needs and will work one-on-one with you to help you achieve your smile goals.

For ultimate camouflage, tray or aligner systems offer a modern straightening method. A series of clear plastic trays are made using 3D digital models of your teeth. Medical-grade plastic without wires, metal, springs, or rubber bands gently move your teeth into place. Continuous pressure on specific teeth with each aligner means less discomfort and, in many cases, shortened treatment times. Your provider dispenses several sets of aligners at a time, allowing you to change to a new tray at home every two weeks.

Removable trays can be set aside for short periods allowing for normal eating and cleaning. Enjoying an apple without the intrusion of brackets and wires works well for many patients. And the smooth plastic surface offers a comfort level to the tongue and cheeks unequalled by other forms of straightening.

Committing to consistent wear, at least 22 hours each day, helps ensure the success of your treatment. While clear aligners work extremely well for adults, a responsible teen can be a suitable candidate too.

INVISALIGN® CAN:

• Straighten your teeth in stealth mode
• Allow you to eat the foods you like during treatment
• Make cleaning and brushing easy
• Close eye-catching gaps
• Correct overlap/crowding issues

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

While aligner treatment works for 90% of straightening cases, some tooth movements may not be possible. Today’s orthodontics offer more choices than ever. Dr. Ricky Chung can help you discover the path to a straighter smile.

You may want to discuss adding whitening to your plan. Sometimes the beauty of porcelain lifts a straight smile to another level or may even offer an alternative to orthodontics.

The smile you’ve always dreamed of may be closer than you think with flexible payment options. More insurance plans are choosing to cover clear aligners as an acceptable method of orthodontic treatment. Check with our office today for more information.

Modern dentistry offers more options than ever to help you restore and maintain an optimal level of health. While the strength and beauty of materials continue to advance, the skill of the practitioner makes a significant difference. Dr. Ricky Chung uses the latest techniques, bringing even the most damaged mouths back to full health.

Sometimes teeth are damaged because of cavities, heavy bite forces, or trauma. If a root canal is needed to salvage a compromised nerve, the tooth may be especially fragile. Dental crowns, or caps, allow these teeth to be rebuilt and covered with materials that mimic nature. Not only are most “capped” teeth indistinguishable from natural teeth, but they're also extremely secure and comfortable.

Crowns can be crafted to repair a single tooth, multiple teeth (including the entire mouth), or in conjunction with dental implants to fill a space. In fact, when missing teeth enter the equation, special consideration might be given to placing a dental bridge or implants.

ONE SIMPLE STEP

Today's technology allows us to simplify the delivery of a crown into just one appointment. After gentle shaping of the tooth, detailed digital images captured by a computer give us the data we need to design your new restoration. In just a few minutes, powerful software coupled with our training creates a crown milled from the finest porcelain available. Once we bond your new crown firmly into place, you'll be on your way!

Toothaches are a vivid reminder that teeth aren't just pieces of hard tissue floating around in the gums. They are intricately formed sensory organs with layers of dentin and enamel protecting a living pulp. Coursing through the tooth's pulp is a vital bundle of nerves and blood vessels providing nutrients and sensation to each tooth. As long as the pulp stays healthy, you're rarely aware of the systems at work.

Tooth pain can be especially alarming, but it's meant to warn you that something's not right. Pain tells us that the bundle of nerves and vessels inside your tooth is irritated, damaged, or under attack.

A deep cavity can give bacteria access to the inner nerve bundle. In some cases, a significant infection, called an abscess, may develop in your jaw without any symptoms at all. If Dr. Ricky Chung determines that the nerve won't recover or if an infection is present, then root canal therapy may be suggested.

Modern anesthetics provide powerful numbing for the gentle removal of the inflamed nerve inside the tooth. The nerve canal undergoes disinfection and careful shaping, and a sealer fills the internal space. A filling or crown over the tooth helps return the tooth to its original function.

ARE ROOT CANALS SAFE?

Internet articles continue to circulate claiming adverse health effects from root canals, despite years of research proving otherwise. Many of these claims rest on false theories put forward decades ago without any scientific basis. In fact, one popular Facebook article sounding a false alarm shakily rests on a 100-year-old study tossed aside long ago.

The American Association of Endodontists stays abreast of all research and can support the safety of this vital service. In fact, new techniques and materials make root canal treatment more successful than ever.

If you're confident, you smile more. If you smile more, you feel more confident. But what if you don't want to flash your smile because you're embarrassed by discolored teeth?

Teeth whitening removes years of dingy stains from your teeth. Coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and chocolate can dull white enamel surfaces. Simple and safe, most patients don't realize how discolored their teeth are until they see a new smile emerge.

Teeth whitening offers a predictable boost to your confidence through the power of a smile. Your Palm Court Dental team draws on years of experience to help deliver whitening results that are safe and comfortable.

We know that first visits to any doctor's office can be intimidating. Not only is your physical comfort important to us, but your emotional well-being is, too.

HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING YOUR INITIAL VISIT TO PALM COURT DENTAL.

During your first visit, we will give you a tour of our office and get to know you by asking some questions about your medical and oral health history. Please bring a list of any medications you may be taking and their dosages, including all vitamins and over-the-counter supplements.

We love to educate our patients and answer questions, so don't be shy! We encourage you to ask questions and express your concerns or desires.

Next, we will perform a comprehensive oral exam that includes a non-invasive oral cancer screening, periodontal probing, charting your existing dental restorations, and x-rays. If time allows and no signs of periodontal disease are present, you will have a routine cleaning after your exam.

Dr. Chung will review his findings with you and create a treatment plan that reflects your wants and needs while giving you a functional, healthy smile.

We offer many payment options and can prioritize and stagger your treatments to give you a smile you deserve in a timeframe you can afford.

We want your visit with us to exceed your expectations, so please ask any questions and offer any suggestions you have!

We want to help you receive the dental care you deserve. We discuss all cost and payment options with you to make sure you are comfortable with your treatment plan and to answer any questions you have prior to the start treatment. You will never have surprises when it comes to your bill.

DENTAL INSURANCE

We want you to get the most out of your budget, so we work with your insurance provider to ensure you get the best coverage available to you.

We are a Preferred Provider (PPO) for many dental insurance companies, including children’s Medicaid. If you need assistance, or have questions about

your insurance policies or claims, our staff is knowledgeable and always available to help you.

Call us to find out if we’re a provider for your insurance!

Popular Payment Options

We accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards and work with Care Credit, so you can get the care you need when you need it.

We offer an in-house payment plan for non-insured patients to make treatments affordable even without insurance.

Welcome to our practice!

We are genuinely pleased that you have chosen us for your dental care. We are always excited to see new smiles coming through our door! In order to provide you with the best level of care, we need to get some information from you. Please fill out your new patient forms below, or plan to arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment to complete them in the office.

Valued Patients,

Please read this notice to understand our efforts to optimize our operations during the Covid-19 / Coronavirus pandemic. Keeping compliance with the CDC’s precautionary guidelines, and protecting our team members and our patients are the highest for our dental practice. As the situation develops and unfolds, we will continue to implement business measures that promote public health and the wellbeing of our valued patients.

Dr. Chung and Palm Court Dental are closely monitoring the latest reports from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), American Dental Association (ADA), and California Dental Association (CDA). We are taking precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of our team and patients.

These Measures Include:

• Developing greater policies for how we clean and disinfect our facilities (we ensure a sanitary environment; and our team members are exceeding the guidelines cleanliness set in place by the CDC)
• We have increased the frequency of our team’s cleaning assignments throughout the offices, not just the common areas.
• Disinfecting our tools, tables, chairs, and other dental equipment after and before usage.
• Posting hand sanitizer at every entrance and exit of our facilities.

REOPENING MEASURES AND GUIDELINES:

• Covid-19 Screenings
• Non Contact Temperature Readings
• Medical Grade H13 Air Filtration
• Hypochlorous Acid Fogging Of The Whole Office
• UV-C Sanitizing
• Social Distancing Practices Inside The Offices
• In Office Laundry Services For Uniforms
• Mandatory CDC Approved PPE Gear
• Designated Appointment Times For Seniors and High Risk Patients

WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE UPDATES AS WE LEARN MORE.

Please understand that we are committed to taking appropriate measures during this time. We can’t wait to start seeing our excellent patients very soon once we start to reopen.

Please call us to reserve your appointments.

Dentures are an affordable way to replace any number of missing teeth in your mouth. They have a long history of success and continue to earn a place in the list of options for rebuilding your smile.

Dentures are removable substitutes for missing teeth. Full dentures are used when a person is missing all their natural teeth, while partial dentures replace only a few missing teeth here or there to eliminate gaps and improve chewing. Denture treatment is customized specifically to each patient, and Dr. Ricky Chung can help you decide which option works best for you.

FULL DENTURES (CONVENTIONAL AND IMPLANT-SUPPORTED)

Sometimes tooth decay or gum disease can become unmanageable. This may lead to the decision to remove your remaining teeth on one or both arches. Full dentures are an economical and efficient way to restore your function and smile.

A complete denture consists of a thin gum-colored acrylic base that rests on the gum tissue. Porcelain or acrylic replacement teeth built into the base give the appearance of natural teeth. We know that your smile is unique, and Dr. Ricky Chung has the experience to help you select the teeth that will look the most natural. This also gives you the chance to customize the way you look; whether you want a "new" smile or want to recreate the one you had.

While dentures boast a long history of successful use, modern technology offers some options to enhance the way dentures fit and the way you look. In many cases, dentures can be secured more firmly to your jaw with the use of dental implants placed in the jaw. In addition to having greater retention and a more natural look, implant-supported dentures tend to last longer. The doctor can discuss these options and help you understand the ways they can improve your experience with dentures.

PARTIAL DENTURES

Whether you've lost one tooth or many, chewing and smiling can become more difficult because of the gaps in your smile. Partial dentures are an economical solution to replace missing teeth, fill in the spaces, improve chewing ability, and restore your confidence to smile. A partial denture will also help keep your natural teeth from shifting, lowering the risk of losing those teeth in the future.

Most partial dentures contain a thin metal framework that is designed with small metal clasps that wrap around the gum line of existing teeth. This allows for a smooth, non-bulky feel. The framework is supported by your natural teeth to provide a reliable, secure appliance that is easy to use and remove. Where teeth are missing, natural-looking replacement teeth are attached, and gum-colored acrylic is used to cover the metal framework. Remember your mouth and your needs are unique, and Dr. Ricky Chung works with skilled technicians to create a solution that is functional, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.

With advances in technology, implants can also be used to support removable partial dentures, improving the fit while reducing the bulkiness of the appliance. Dentures inherently bring some challenges, especially to new wearers. Our goal is to minimize the everyday frustrations and keep you as comfortable as possible.

We look forward to discussing your options to make your mouth full again and to give you back a confident, glowing smile!