Скачать или смотреть Ep # 152 Saving Teeth, Easing Fears, Building Community

Tooth pain has a way of hijacking your whole day. We sat down with Dr. Katie Kickertz, owner of Premier Endodontics of SouthPark in Charlotte, to unpack what actually happens during a root canal, why today’s techniques feel so different from the old stories, and how the right plan can save your natural tooth with less stress and faster healing.

Katie explains the specialty of endodontics in plain language, then opens the door to her tech-driven workflow: CBCT 3D imaging to see inside the tooth, surgical microscopes for precision, and modern disinfection with lasers and Odontic Clean to reach complex canal spaces. She shares practical weekend pain advice, from who to call to what over-the-counter options can safely take the edge off. We also examine cases beyond cavities—sports trauma in teens, retreatments when a prior root canal isn’t healing, and root-end surgery for stubborn infections. Success rates, numbness, and post-op soreness all get demystified, with a focus on comfort and clear expectations.

Not every ache is a tooth problem. We talk through TMJ and myofascial pain, why clenching and grinding can mimic dental issues, and how Botox and physical therapy can calm overworked jaw muscles and cut down headaches. Along the way, Katie tells the story of leaving a disappointing corporate role and building a patient-first practice from scratch, drawing on the discipline she learned as a competitive figure skater and her ongoing work with the American Association of Endodontists.

If you’ve delayed care because of fear—or you’re curious how modern endodontics protects your smile—this conversation will change how you think about root canals, jaw pain, and urgent dental care. Subscribe for more local business stories, share this episode with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help neighbors find the show.

Premier Endodontics of SouthPark
Dr. Katie Kickertz
6842 Carnegie Blvd., Ste. 200
Charlotte, NC 28211
(980) 705-8251
[email protected]
endodonticsofsouthpark.com (https://www.endodonticsofsouthpark.com/)