General dentists attempt a large number of root canals. Patients are regularly referred to an endodontist by their family dentist or they can go directly to an endodontist. If you are having tooth pain, or a complication following a crown or filling, you may need an endodontist. If you're dental work if often complicated, see an endodontist for your root canal. If you tend to wear off anesthetic fast, see an endodontist when you need a root canal. If you are hard to get numb, an endodontist is the specialist you need. If treatments in your mouth are difficult, an endodontist is a great resource when it is a root canal. Or, on the other hand, you might be referred to an endodontist for a root canal before your dentist puts a crown or another kind of restoration on one of your teeth.