Dr. Gayle Obermayr earned her Dental Degree in 1987 from the University of North Carolina and earned a Master of Science in Endodontics at the University of Iowa. Dr. Obermayr is a past President of the Florida Association of Endodontists, Southern Endodontic Study Club and the Greater Highlands Dental Society. She is also a member in good standing of the West Coast Dental Association, American Association of Endodontists and the American Dental Association. Dr. Obermayr has been honored with a Fellowship in the prestigious American College of Dentists, a prestigious group with the highest ethical standards, excellence in dentistry, exemplary leadership and a role in dental education. She is the past clinical director of the DATS school in Sebring.

Dr. Obermayr is dedicated to serving with excellence and to inspire others. Continuing education is a top priority for Dr. Obermayr. She stresses the importance of staying current for any new procedures and advanced technologies in dentistry. Dr. Obermayr encourages employees to regularly attend continuing education classes and to acquire the top certifications. Dr. Obermayr is a respected leader and speaker on topics which range from Advancements in Root Canal Therapy, Microscopic Surgical Endodontics, GentleWave Technology and Cone Beam CT Technology.

Dr. Obermayr is committed to providing the finest endodontic care with comfort and excellence to patients. Encouraging patients to return to their referring dentist for the necessary restorative procedures.

Dr. Obermayr is married to Dr. Michael Kirsch, the periodontist in our office. They moved to Sebring in 1995 from Pompano Beach, Florida. They love spending time with their adult children at UF and UNC sporting events. Dr. Obermayrs other interests include horses, boating, fishing, golfing, and playing the piano.

Last month you performed a root canal on a tooth of mine. As you worked on my mouth, I immediately felt your calm, confidence and skill. I want to thank you and your excellent, attentive staff for your kind and sensitive treatment. I truly appreciated the way I was treated.

Dr. Michael Kirsch received his Dental Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry in 1987. He went on to complete his specialty training in Periodontics in 1989 at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. He completed his Master's Degree in Periodontics with an award winning investigation into the role of Bisphosphonates in dental applications.

Since 1989, Dr. Kirsch has been involved in the private practice of Periodontics. He has been serving the Heartland area exclusively since 1995. The practice specialty includes all phases of Periodontics with an emphasis on general periodontal therapy, dental implants, and oral medicine.

Dedicated to staying abreast of the latest in Periodontics innovation, Dr. Kirsch is strongly committed to continuing dental education. He usually accumulates twice the required Continuing Education Credits that are required to maintain licensure and has lectured on topics concerning Periodontics to local and regional audiences.

The perception of root canals being painful began decades ago but with the latest technologies and anesthetics, root canal treatment today is no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed. In fact, a recent survey showed that patients who have experienced root canal treatment are six times more likely to describe it as 'painless' than patients who have not had root canal treatment.

Most patients see their dentist or endodontist when they have a severe toothache. The toothache can be caused by damaged tissues in the tooth. Root canal treatment removes this damaged tissue from the tooth, thereby relieving the pain you feel. (See more about root canal procedures.)

The myth: Patients searching the Internet for information on root canals may find sites claiming that teeth receiving root canal (endodontic) treatment contribute to the occurrence of illness and disease in the body. This claim is based on long-debunked and poorly designed research performed in the 1920s by Dr. Weston A. Price. Dr. Price stated that bacteria trapped in the teeth during root canal treatment could 'leak' and cause almost any type of disease, including arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease and others. This was before medicine understood the causes of these illnesses. At the time, Dr. Price recommended tooth extraction instead of endodontic treatment.

The truth: There is no valid, scientific evidence linking root canal-treated teeth and disease elsewhere in the body. In fact, by the early 1930s, a number of well-designed studies discredited Dr. Price's research, and no subsequent research has supported Dr. Price's findings. In 1951, the Journal of the American Dental Association devoted an entire issue to a review of the scientific literature and concluded that there was no evidence supporting Dr. Price's theory and that his research techniques from the 1920s lacked many aspects of modern scientific research. The ADA recommended endodontic treatment as the standard of practice for teeth that could be saved. Recent research continues to support the safety of dental treatment as it relates to overall health.

The presence of bacteria in teeth and the mouth has been an accepted fact for many years. But the presence of bacteria does not constitute 'infection' and is not necessarily a threat to a person 's health. Bacteria is present in the mouth and teeth at all times, even in teeth that have never had a cavity or other trauma. Research shows that the healthy immune system takes care of bacteria in a matter of minutes. When a severe infection in a tooth requires endodontic treatment, that treatment is designed to eliminate bacteria from the infected root canal and prevent re-infection of the tooth.

Tooth extraction is a potentially traumatic procedure and is known to cause a significantly higher incidence of bacteria entering the bloodstream; endodontic treatment confined to the root canal system produces much less trauma and a much lower incidence and magnitude of bacteria entering the blood stream.

There is no adequate replacement for the natural tooth - it should be saved whenever possible. Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat infected teeth because it is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of an implant. In most cases, endodontic treatment allows patients to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime.

Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet.

Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant.

Millions of healthy endodontically treated teeth serve patients all over the world, years and years after treatment. Those healthy teeth are helping patients chew efficiently, maintain the natural appearance of their smiles and enhance their enjoyment of life. Through endodontic treatment, endodontists and dentists worldwide enable patients to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime.

Refusing to accept the prognosis, of five different dentists in Tampa, Orlando, and Highlands County, that the only solution to my dental situation would be extraction of all the lower teeth to then replace them with dental implants.

I searched and finally found Dr. Gayle Obermayr at Heartland ENDODONTICS, a Root Canal specialist. She saved my teeth, my dignity, and my pride!! I can smile again!!! Thank You Dr. Gayle Obermayr!!!!!