Frequently Asked Questions

Their painful reputation is largely undeserved. Thanks to modern technology and better anesthetics, most patients today report a comfortable, pain-free experience. Far from causing pain, the procedure actually relieves the ache of an infected tooth, and most patients say they feel significantly better once it is done. Before starting, Dr. Liana Tremmel will explain every step so you know exactly what to expect.

To replace a missing tooth root, a dental implant is a titanium post placed surgically into the jawbone. Once it heals, a crown, bridge, or denture attaches on top, giving you a permanent, natural-looking replacement. The best candidates have healthy gums and adequate bone density, and Dr. Liana Tremmel will evaluate whether implants are right for you during a consultation.

How much brighter your smile gets depends on the nature and severity of the staining, though most patients lighten by several shades. Whitening works best on surface stains from coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco. Whether done in-office or with custom take-home trays, professional whitening delivers far more dramatic results than over-the-counter strips or toothpaste. During your consultation, Dr. Liana Tremmel will set realistic expectations.

Bonded to the front of your teeth, veneers are thin porcelain shells that improve the look of your smile. They can correct teeth that are chipped, stained, misshapen, or slightly misaligned, and close small gaps along the way. Because porcelain veneers resist coffee, tea, and tobacco stains, they hold their color better than natural enamel. For patients after a dramatic smile transformation in just a few visits, veneers remain a popular option.

When decay is small, a filling repairs it by packing the cavity with tooth-colored composite material. A crown does more: this cap covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, restoring its full shape, strength, and function when the tooth is severely damaged, cracked, has had a large filling replaced, or has undergone a root canal. Dr. Liana Tremmel will recommend the most conservative treatment that protects your tooth long-term.

The right choice at Regency Dental Care depends on how many teeth are missing and your overall oral health. For a single tooth, a dental implant with a crown is the gold standard, since it looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. When several adjacent teeth are gone, implant-supported bridges fill the space. And for patients missing all or most of their teeth, implant-supported full-arch restorations or conventional dentures may be the best option. Dr. Liana Tremmel will walk you through all your choices during a consultation.

When brushing and flossing fall short, bacterial plaque collects along and below the gum line, and that buildup drives gum disease (periodontitis). Caught at the early gingivitis stage, it can still be reversed with a professional cleaning and better home care. After the disease advances and bone loss sets in, the damage becomes permanent, though a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) and more frequent maintenance visits keep it under control. Because research links gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic conditions, treating it early matters.

Quick and painless, an oral cancer screening is a visual and physical exam that checks your mouth, tongue, lips, cheeks, and throat for any suspicious changes. The Centers for Disease Control recommend annual screening for all patients over the age of 17. The reason is simple: oral cancer caught in its early stages has a much higher cure rate, so early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes. Dr. Liana Tremmel includes an oral cancer screening as part of your regular comprehensive exam.

Pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles around it is what Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) describes. You might notice clicking or popping sounds when you open your mouth, along with jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty chewing. To address it, Dr. Liana Tremmel usually begins with conservative, reversible treatment, most often a custom night guard or oral appliance that takes stress off the joint. For most patients, that brings significant relief without surgery.

Most dental insurance plans are accepted here, and as a courtesy we will file your dental insurance claim for you. Before any treatment begins, our team hands you a treatment plan that includes your estimated out-of-pocket costs. Preventive visits such as cleanings and exams are typically covered by most plans at little or no cost. For more details, visit our financing page.

Yes. Our office relies on digital radiography, which keeps radiation levels significantly lower than traditional dental X-rays. Exposure from a full set of digital X-rays stays minimal, on par with the everyday background radiation around you. We take X-rays only when they are clinically necessary for your care, always following the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).

If your routine procedure is done with local anesthetic only, you are safe to drive yourself home afterward. Oral sedation is different: you will need a driver to bring you to and from your appointment. Either way, Dr. Liana Tremmel will tell you in advance what to expect and whether to arrange a ride.

Severe toothache, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold, swollen or tender gums, and darkening of the tooth are all common signs that a root canal may be needed. That said, a tooth can sometimes need root canal treatment with no pain at all, which is exactly why regular exams matter so much. Confirming whether the tooth's pulp is infected or damaged takes a clinical exam and X-rays. Caught early, root canal treatment is straightforward and can save a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted.