What’s the Difference Between an Endodontist and a Dentist?
An endodontist is a dental specialist that only treats the inside of the tooth, particularly the dental pulp and root canal systems. While all endodontists are dentists, fewer than 3% of dentists are endodontists. Becoming one requires an extra 2–3 years of specialized training after dental school. This training equips endodontists with the skills they need to handle complex procedures like root canals.
Knowing the differences between these kinds of dental professionals helps you make better decisions about your oral health. Let’s break down the endodontist vs dentist comparison, looking at how they contrast in training, treatment approaches, technology use, and outcomes.
How Education and Training Paths Differ Between Dentists and Endodontists
General Dentist Education
Dentists complete:
- Four years of dental school after earning their undergraduate degree
- Training in a wide range of dental services
- Preparation for providing comprehensive oral health care
General dentists are qualified to perform routine dental procedures including:
- Regular checkups and cleanings
- Fillings and simple restorations
- Basic preventive care
- Simple tooth extractions
- Straightforward root canal procedures
Endodontist Specialized Training
Endodontists undergo:
- All the same education as general dentists
- An extra 2–3 years of specialized residency training in endodontics
- Advanced education focused on dental pulp treatment, pain diagnosis, and root canal therapy
- Extensive training in managing dental infections and performing surgical procedures on the tooth interior
Endodontists can handle tougher cases and advanced techniques that a general practitioner wouldn’t.
What Specialized Procedures Do Endodontists Perform?
While general dentists provide regular checkups, cleanings, fillings, and simple restorative work, endodontists only treat issues related to the dental pulp.
A typical endodontist performs approximately 25 root canal treatments weekly. A general dentist might only do a few per month. This gives endodontists a lot of practice using their skills and expertise.
Endodontic Specialized Procedures Include:
- Standard root canal therapy on complex cases
- Endodontic retreatment when previous root canals fail
- Apicoectomy (surgical removal of the root tip)
- Management and treatment of dental trauma
- Diagnosis of persistent oral and facial pain
- Internal bleaching of discolored teeth following root canal treatment
- Treatment of teeth with unusual or complex root anatomy
Their specialized expertise allows them to work on teeth that general dentists might find challenging.
When Should You See an Endodontist Instead of a Dentist?
Many specific situations call for specialized endodontic care.
Seek an Endodontist When:
- You experience persistent tooth pain after initial treatment
- Your dentist recommends retreatment of a failed root canal
- You have cracked, fractured, or decayed teeth
- Your tooth has a complex root structure or unusual anatomy
- You’ve suffered trauma-related injuries to teeth
- Previous root canal treatment has failed to resolve symptoms
- Your general dentist provides a referral for specialized care
- You have unusual symptoms that are difficult to diagnose
- You need treatment for dental infections that have spread
If you’re referred to an endodontist, it could be the difference between saving and losing your natural tooth.
What Advanced Technologies Do Endodontists Use?
Endodontists are trained to use state-of-the-art tools for root canals and related procedures. They use these technologies to provide more precise, comfortable, and successful treatments.
Specialized Endodontic Equipment Includes:
- Dental operating microscopes providing up to 25x magnification
- Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) 3D imaging systems
- Digital radiography for immediate, enhanced imaging
- Ultrasonic instruments for precision cleaning and preparation
- Specialized rotary and reciprocating instruments
- Electronic apex locators for precise measurement of root length
- Rubber dam isolation systems to prevent contamination
Tech like this helps endodontists work with small, curved, or difficult-to-locate canals and contributes to higher treatment success.
How Do Costs Compare Between Endodontists and General Dentists?
Treatment by an endodontist typically comes with a higher upfront cost than treatment by a general dentist. This price difference reflects their specialized expertise and the advanced equipment they use.
But the long-term value often justifies the extra expense. It’s still less expensive than needing a tooth extraction and cosmetic dentistry to cover it up.
Factors Affecting Treatment Cost:
- Complexity of the tooth’s anatomy (molars vs. front teeth)
- Whether it’s a first-time or retreatment procedure
- Geographic location of the practice
- Insurance plan coverage details
- Need for more procedures (e.g., posts, cores, crowns)
- Emergency vs. scheduled appointments
It’s usually better to preserve the natural tooth than to deal with retreatment or tooth replacement later.
Endodontists vs. Dentists FAQs
Is an endodontist better than a general dentist for a root canal?
Yes, especially for complex cases. Endodontists perform more root canal procedures than general dentists—typically more than 25 weekly. Their advanced training and experience help them address difficult anatomy, persistent pain, and complications more effectively.
Can general dentists perform root canals?
Yes, general dentists receive training to perform root canals and often handle straightforward cases involving single-rooted teeth. But they usually refer patients to an endodontist when a case becomes more complex or if a prior treatment hasn’t resolved the issue.
Do I need a referral to see an endodontist?
No, a referral isn’t always required to schedule an appointment with an endodontist. You can contact one directly if you’re experiencing severe tooth pain, have suffered dental trauma, or have a previously treated tooth that hasn’t healed.
How painful is a root canal treatment from an endodontist?
Root canal procedures performed by endodontists typically aren’t more uncomfortable than a standard filling. Endodontists are experts in pain management and use numbing techniques that work even for patients who have difficulty staying numb. Many patients say the procedure actually relieves their pain.
How long does a root canal treatment last?
When performed properly and followed by a quality restoration (like a crown), a root canal can last for decades—sometimes a lifetime. Success also depends on good hygiene and routine dental checkups.
Who Should You Choose—General Dentist or Endodontist?
Both general dentists and endodontists play important roles in maintaining your oral health. For regular checkups or basic procedures, your general dentist is usually the right place to start. But if your case involves persistent symptoms, complex root structures, or prior failed treatments, an endodontist offers a higher level of specialized care.
Your natural teeth are worth protecting. Getting the right level of expertise at the right time could make the difference in keeping your smile healthy for years to come.
Resources:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/endodontics
Elemam, Ranya Faraj, Pretty, Iain, Comparison of the Success Rate of Endodontic Treatment and Implant Treatment, International Scholarly Research Notices, 2011, 640509, 8 pages, 2011. https://doi.org/10.5402/2011/640509
https://www.aae.org/patients/why-see-an-endodontist/whats-difference-dentist-endodontist/
