Written By
Dr. Todd Geisler, DDS
Founder and Endodontist
Updated: August 17, 2026
Quick Answer
An endodontist is a dental specialist with two to three years of advanced training beyond dental school, focused exclusively on diagnosing and treating the inside of teeth. You need one when your dentist detects signs of pulp infection, inflammation, or damage that requires a root canal or other specialized care. Endodontists perform more root canals in a week than most general dentists perform in a year, which translates to faster, more comfortable, and more predictable outcomes for you.
If your dentist has referred you to an endodontist, you might be wondering: what exactly is an endodontist, and why can’t my regular dentist handle this? You’re not alone. Endodontics is one of the least well-known dental specialties, yet it plays a critical role in saving teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted.
An endodontist is a dental specialist who focuses exclusively on diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries of the dental pulp, the soft tissue inside your teeth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. After completing dental school, endodontists complete an additional two to three years of advanced residency training focused specifically on root canal procedures, pain management, and saving natural teeth.
At United Endodontics, our specialists have performed thousands of root canal procedures. This level of focused experience means faster, more comfortable treatment and better outcomes for your teeth.
General dentists are generalists. They handle a wide range of dental needs including cleanings, fillings, crowns, and sometimes simple root canals. Endodontists, by contrast, spend the majority of their clinical time performing root canal treatments and related procedures. This specialization translates to:
Your dentist will typically refer you to an endodontist when they detect signs of pulp infection or damage. Common reasons include:
Severe or persistent toothache — especially pain that wakes you up at night or isn’t relieved by over-the-counter pain medication.
Prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold — if a tooth remains sensitive long after the hot or cold stimulus is removed, the pulp may be inflamed.
Darkening of a tooth — a tooth that has changed color may indicate internal bleeding or pulp death.
Swelling or tenderness in nearby gums — this can indicate an abscess, a pocket of infection at the root tip.
A cracked or fractured tooth — cracks can allow bacteria to reach the pulp, causing infection.
Most patients come with a referral from their general dentist, and we prefer that when possible. That said, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, feel free to call us — we are happy to discuss your situation and, in many cases, can schedule an evaluation.
Root canal treatment (also called endodontic therapy) is the most common procedure, but endodontists also perform:
Root canal retreatment — when a previous root canal hasn’t healed properly or a new infection develops years later.
Apicoectomy (endodontic surgery) — a minor surgical procedure to remove infected tissue at the tip of a tooth’s root when conventional root canal treatment isn’t sufficient.
Dental trauma management — treatment of teeth that have been knocked out, cracked, or fractured due to injury.
Nothing fully replaces a natural tooth. Implants and bridges are good alternatives, but natural teeth are always preferable when they can be saved. A tooth with a successful root canal can last a lifetime. Saving a natural tooth also:
At United Endodontics, our entire practice is dedicated to one goal: saving your natural teeth with comfortable, expert care. If you are experiencing tooth pain or your dentist has recommended a root canal, we encourage you to reach out. Most patients are surprised at how straightforward the experience is.
United Endodontics serves Edina and the greater Twin Cities from two convenient locations. Same-day emergency appointments always available.