Endodontist vs General Dentist
An endodontist is a root canal specialist with 2–3 years of additional training after dental school, a surgical microscope on every case, and CBCT 3D imaging on site. A general dentist treats a wide range of routine dental work. For complex molars, retreatments, cracked teeth, and trauma, the specialist visit usually has a higher first-time success rate and a lower total cost over time.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Hope Feldman · Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics
Last reviewed May 5, 2026 · NPI 1275089088
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Endodontist | General Dentist |
|---|---|---|
| Years of additional training after dental school | 2–3 (specialty residency) | 0 |
| Cases per week | ~50 (endodontics only) | 5–15 (mix of all dental work) |
| Surgical operating microscope | Standard on every case | Rare |
| CBCT 3D imaging on site | Standard | Uncommon |
| Performs retreatment | Yes | Sometimes |
| Performs apicoectomy | Yes | Refers out |
| Specialty board certification (Diplomate, ABE) | Yes (when board-certified) | Not applicable |
| Crown placed after treatment | No — refers back to your GP | Yes — places it themselves |
| Long-term success rate (molars) | 90–95% at 10 years | ~75–85% at 10 years (varies) |
| Typical fee premium | 15–25% over GP | Baseline |
When the specialist visit is worth it
- Multi-canal molars (back teeth) where missed canals are the #1 reason root canals fail
- Retreatment of a previous root canal that did not heal
- Cracked tooth diagnosis — the bite test plus CBCT plus microscope finds what 2D X-rays miss
- Apicoectomy or surgical endodontics
- Trauma (knocked-out, fractured, or displaced teeth)
- Pediatric cases needing pulpotomy, pulpectomy, or regenerative endodontics
- Any case where you want a written specialist plan + a written estimate before committing
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I get a root canal from an endodontist or a general dentist?
- For complex molars, retreatments, cracked teeth, or any case where saving the tooth is uncertain, see an endodontist. For routine front-tooth or simple premolar cases with a familiar anatomy and no complications, a general dentist is reasonable. The difference shows up most in long-term success rates: endodontists treat root canals all day every day, with surgical microscopes and CBCT 3D imaging that few general offices have.
- How much more does an endodontist cost?
- 15–25% more on average. The fee difference reflects specialist training (an additional 2–3 years after dental school), specialty equipment (microscope, CBCT), and the longer chair time required for complex cases. For molars and retreatments, the higher first-time success rate often makes the specialist visit cheaper in the long run.
- Do I need a referral from my dentist?
- No. You can book directly with Hope Endodontics. Many general dentists do refer for complex cases, and we coordinate with your dentist on the crown that follows treatment, but a referral is not required.
- What does an endodontist do that a general dentist does not?
- Endodontists treat endodontic cases exclusively. They use a surgical operating microscope on every visit, CBCT 3D imaging for diagnosis, and specialty instruments for retreatment and microsurgery (apicoectomy). Most general dentists refer their toughest cases to an endodontist for these reasons.