Detailed Introduction
Hometown Endodontics is a specialized dental clinic located at 411 28th St, Vienna, WV 26105, focusing exclusively on endodontic treatments. The clinic was founded and is led by Dr. Kathryn Epkey, DDS, MSD, a highly qualified and experienced endodontist. Dr. Epkey's motivation to establish the practice stemmed from her passion for serving her hometown community and a desire to help patients feel at ease and relieve their pain, a calling she identified while volunteering at a dental clinic in 2009. Her family has a long history in dentistry, serving the Mid-Ohio Valley for over 75 years.
Hometown Endodontics specializes in treating the internal structures of teeth, addressing issues such as tooth pain, disease, and infection. Their comprehensive range of services includes:
Root Canal Therapy: A common procedure to remove infected or damaged pulp (nerves and blood vessels) from the tooth, clean the canals, and then fill them to prevent future infection, ultimately saving the natural tooth.
Endodontic Retreatment: Performed when a previous root canal doesn't fully heal or the tooth becomes re-infected, often due to complex anatomy or missed canals. The canals are re-cleaned and sealed.
Apicoectomy: A minor surgical procedure recommended when non-surgical root canal treatment isn't sufficient. It involves making an incision in the gum to expose the bone, removing infected tissue and a small section of the root tip, and then placing a filling to prevent reinfection.
Regenerative Endodontic Therapy: A cutting-edge, biologically based procedure utilizing stem cells to regenerate damaged dentin and root structure, particularly for immature teeth, aiming to revitalize or revascularize previously necrotic pulpal tissue.
The clinic prides itself on utilizing state-of-the-art technology to enhance diagnostic accuracy, treatment precision, and patient comfort. This includes:
Cone Beam CT (CBCT) Technology (Carestream 8100 3D system): Provides high-resolution 3D volumetric data, allowing Dr. Epkey to visualize complex dental anatomy, diagnose issues like periapical lesions or hidden canals, and plan treatments with superior accuracy, potentially reducing the need for multiple visits.
Zeiss OPMI pico Surgical Microscopes: Used for examinations, treatments, and surgeries, offering up to 12.5x magnification and fiber optics LED illumination for a clear and accurate view. This technology aids in locating additional canals, improving cleaning efficacy, assisting in retreatment of broken instruments, assessing accurate depth, and detecting root fractures or abnormalities, while minimizing the surgical site.
Customizable Patient Chairs: Equipped with heat and massage functions (up to six settings) to ensure patients are relaxed and comfortable during their procedures.
Dr. Epkey is Board Eligible with the American Board of Endodontics and a member of the American Association of Endodontists, the American Dental Association, and the West Virginia Dental Association. The clinic emphasizes a comfortable and caring environment, aiming to alleviate patient anxiety often associated with endodontic procedures. They work closely with referring dentists to ensure seamless patient care and provide detailed reports post-treatment. Dr. Epkey is also fluent in Spanish.
