When a dentist starts a root canal and cannot finish it, legally this tooth is considered a re-treatment. Retreatments are more expensive than a regular root canal because of the specialized equipment, time and expertise required. Also, because the Endodontist is treating a tooth that someone else has worked on, he is, in essence, accepting legal responsibility for someone else's work. Sometimes, that work needs to be corrected and it takes more time for a re-do than to do the root canal in the first place. Patients do not understand this and get angry that they have to pay, not only twice, but more for the second procedure. And some dental insurance will not pay for a retreatment immediately after the original root canal.

These examples are not the norm, but they are seen on almost a daily basis at an Endodontist office. Of the millions of root canals done daily, most dentists perform beautifully with no problems. But if you see your dentist looking doubtful when he looks at the x-ray of your problem tooth, and he recommends an Endodontist for your treatment, please follow his advice.