General dentistry
General Dentistry in Corona del Mar
A general dentist is your dental home — the practice that knows your history, watches small problems before they become expensive ones, and handles the everyday care that keeps the rest of it simple. For over 25 years this office has been that home for families in Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, and the surrounding coast.
Dr. Zak Polonus, DDS MS, sees every routine visit as a full examination rather than a quick polish. Digital imaging, a soft-tissue and oral cancer screening, a look at how your teeth actually meet, and an unhurried conversation about what he found and what, if anything, needs doing.
What sets this apart
- Cleanings, exams, and digital imaging under one roof
- Same-day and next-day emergency slots held open weekly
- Most major PPO plans accepted, plus a transparent membership option
Treated by Dr. Zak Polonus, DDS MS at 2345 East Coast Hwy, Ste. C, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.
What general dentistry covers here
Routine cleanings & exams
A hygiene visit every six months, paired with a full exam, oral cancer screening, and digital x-rays only when they are actually needed.
Tooth-colored fillings & bonding
Composite restorations matched to the shade of the surrounding enamel, so a repair is not the first thing people notice.
Periodontal (gum) care
Deep cleanings, scaling and root planing, and ongoing perio maintenance for gum disease — the leading cause of adult tooth loss.
Root canal therapy
Saving a tooth whose nerve has been damaged by decay or trauma, typically in a single visit, with sedation available if you want it.
Porcelain crowns & bridges
Rebuilding a cracked, worn, or heavily restored tooth with a crown designed to fit your bite, not just fill the gap.
TMJ & bite therapy
Jaw pain, clicking, morning headaches, and worn-down teeth are usually a bite problem. We diagnose the cause rather than treating the symptom.
Night guards & retainers
Custom appliances that protect enamel and dental work from grinding and clenching while you sleep.
Emergency dental care
Broken teeth, lost crowns, swelling, and sudden pain. Call the office line and we will find room the same day whenever we can.
Preventive care is the least expensive dentistry there is
Almost everything we treat in this office started as something smaller. A hairline crack becomes a fractured cusp. Early gum inflammation becomes bone loss. A shallow cavity becomes a root canal. Catching those at a cleaning costs a fraction of what it costs later, in both money and chair time.
That is the whole argument for twice-yearly visits, and it is why we would rather watch a questionable spot over two appointments than drill it the moment we see it. If a tooth does not need treatment yet, we will tell you that.
Your mouth is not separate from the rest of you
Dr. Polonus practices with a whole-body view of oral health. The bacteria behind periodontal disease are linked to cardiovascular disease and complications in diabetes. Untreated grinding shows up as headaches and neck tension. Sleep-disordered breathing often shows up first on the teeth.
So the exam looks past the individual teeth: the gums, the airway, the jaw joints, the soft tissue, and how the whole system is working together.
How it works
The path from first visit to finished work.
01
Full examination
Teeth, gums, bite, jaw joints, and soft tissue, with digital imaging and a 3D scan when the situation calls for one.
02
Cleaning
A hygiene visit sized to what your gums actually need, from a routine polish to periodontal therapy.
03
Findings, in plain language
We show you the images, explain what we are looking at, and separate what needs attention now from what we can simply watch.
04
A plan you agreed to
Sequenced treatment with costs and insurance coverage confirmed before anything is scheduled.
Questions we get
General Dentistry, answered.
How often should I have a dental cleaning?
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Every six months suits most patients. If you have a history of gum disease, heavy tartar buildup, or certain medical conditions, we may recommend a three or four month interval to keep it stable.
It has been years since my last visit. Is that a problem?
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Not with us. It is one of the most common reasons people call, and no one here is going to lecture you. We start with a full exam, tell you honestly where things stand, and build a plan in stages you can manage.
Do you accept my dental insurance?
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We work with most major PPO plans and file claims directly on your behalf. Call the front desk with your plan details and we will verify your coverage and estimate your portion before your visit.
Do you see children?
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Yes. We treat whole families — in some cases three generations of the same one — and we are happy to see kids for cleanings, exams, and preventive care.
Can you see me today for a dental emergency?
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Call (949) 675-3131. We hold same-day and next-day slots open every week for pain, swelling, broken teeth, and lost restorations.
Related care
All servicesCosmetic Dentistry
Veneers, whitening, bonding, and gum contouring, designed around your face and your bite.
Read moreSedation Dentistry
Oral and IV sedation, so anxiety or a long appointment is not the thing that stops you.
Read moreOral Surgery
Extractions, wisdom teeth, and bone grafting performed here rather than referred across town.
Read moreReady when you are
Due for a cleaning?
Pick a time from our live schedule and the front desk will confirm it. New patients are always welcome.
- New patients welcome
- Most major PPO plans accepted
- Takes about a minute
Would rather write than call? Send the front desk a note and we will usually reply the same business day.