Hillside Dental

Patient care begins at the root, an in-depth overview of endodontic care.

Dr. Brett Taylor

Root canals are often a standard treatment to save badly decayed, damaged, or infected teeth among patients. Still, how do local dental teams communicate these restorative procedures to those sitting in the dental chair?

Serving the area for nearly 60 years, current practitioners at Eau Claire’s Hillside Dental remain committed to address patients’ endodontic needs, with procedures centered on comfort and shared understanding.

Endodontics is a specialized branch of dentistry which focuses on the study and treatment of the dental pulp and the tissues surrounding the roots of a tooth. Lucky for Hillside Dental patients, it’s one of Dr. Brett Taylor’s areas of focus — the newest general dentist at the Eau Claire office.

Your tooth pulp, Dr. Taylor said, is the center of each tooth — a jelly-like center which contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue. The common cavity can expose this pulp and lead to infection.

When such issues arise, Dr. Taylor is ready to perform individualized root canal procedures to restore healthy smiles for locals across the Chippewa Valley. Hillside Dental continues to welcome all ages — from the youngest toddler to adults — for appointments.

“Every team member at Hillside is an integral part of all the steps,” Dr. Taylor said. “From the initial phone call to the assistant bringing them back — and then seeing me and being comfortable in the chair.

“Knowing that we have patients’ best interests in mind usually comes with building trust,” he continued.

Whether seeing Dr. Taylor or another experienced team member at Hillside Dental, patients receive a complete evaluation of their oral wellness through advanced radiographic techniques and digital X-rays to assess all tooth surfaces.

As one of the primary practitioners focused on endodontic therapy at Hillside Dental, Dr. Taylor offers root canal care backed by clinical research.

When patients seek this treatment option, any inflamed or infected tissue causing pain is gently removed from the tooth, followed by a thorough sanitization and sealing.

While pain can often be a source of anxiety for incoming patients, Hillside Dental staff encourage accessible choices — from laughing gas to needle-free sedation options — so that care is aligned with individual needs and folks remain fully comfortable in the process.

To provide exceptional treatment means prioritizing new learning opportunities while maintaining open, honest communication with every individual in the chair, Dr. Taylor believes.

“As the newest member of Hillside Dental, I’m learning that one of the most important parts of patient care is creating a comfortable, welcoming environment where people feel heard and safe enough to have an honest conversation about their dental health,” Dr. Taylor said.

“I understand some people may have fear or anxiety about coming to the dentist,” he continued. “My goal is to build that trust so patients feel comfortable taking care of their mouths and keeping their teeth healthy, for years to come.”

In addition to endodontic care, the local practice offers other cosmetic services, including non-invasive tooth discoloration treatments, crown and bridge replacements, cosmetic bonding for gaps, among others.

As locals themselves, staff continue to invest their time and resources within the Chippewa Valley. Beyond the clinic walls, patients can even spot Hillside Dental practitioners coaching local soccer matches or exploring area mountain biking trails — some of Dr. Taylor’s favorite passtimes.

“Everyone here is patient-centered and they care about the quality of work that’s provided here and the quality of service that we provide the community,” Dr. Taylor said. “It’s those interactions and the relationship building that I think we have to continue.”