Reviewed by Dr. Randall Hedrick, Board-Certified Endodontist | Certificate in Endodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center (1993)
When your dentist refers you to an endodontist, you might wonder whether it’s really necessary. Can’t your general dentist just do the root canal? The short answer: yes, they technically can. But there are compelling reasons why seeing a specialist leads to better outcomes — and Dr. Hedrick’s 40+ years of experience makes the case clearly.
1. Endodontists perform root canals every single day
General dentists treat a wide range of conditions — fillings, cleanings, extractions, crowns. Endodontists do one thing: diagnose and treat problems inside teeth. That focused repetition builds a level of skill and speed that’s simply not possible with occasional practice.
2. Specialized equipment your general dentist probably doesn’t have
St. Petersburg Endodontics is equipped with tools that are standard in endodontic specialty offices but rare in general practices: dental operating microscopes that magnify the treatment area up to 25x, 3D cone beam CT scanners, ultrasonic instruments, and laser irrigation systems. Each of these tools meaningfully improves the accuracy and outcome of treatment.
3. Higher success rates and lower retreatment rates
Research consistently shows that root canals performed by endodontists have higher long-term success rates than those performed by general dentists. Dr. Hedrick’s use of laser irrigation has further reduced the rate of re-treatment at our practice by more effectively eliminating bacteria from the root canal system.
4. Better detection of missed canals
Teeth often have more canals than are visible on a standard 2D X-ray. Molar teeth may have four, five, or even six canals. Missed canals are a leading cause of root canal failure. With 3D CBCT imaging and microscopic visualization, Dr. Hedrick locates and treats canals that would be missed in a general dental setting.
5. Advanced pain management expertise
Achieving profound anesthesia in an infected, inflamed tooth is genuinely more difficult than numbing a healthy tooth. Endodontists are specifically trained in supplemental anesthetic techniques that ensure complete comfort even in the most challenging cases.
6. Preservation of your natural tooth
An endodontist’s entire professional mission is saving natural teeth. Nothing we do is oriented toward extraction. We exhaust every option — root canal therapy, retreatment, apicoectomy — before concluding that a tooth cannot be saved. Natural teeth are almost always preferable to implants in terms of chewing function, bone preservation, and long-term oral health.
7. Single-visit efficiency
Because endodontic care is our specialty, most root canals at St. Petersburg Endodontics are completed in a single appointment of 60–90 minutes. This minimizes the number of times you need to take time off work, arrange childcare, or sit in a dental chair.
8. Coordination with your referring dentist
We work closely with your general dentist to ensure seamless handoff after treatment. We provide detailed treatment notes and communicate directly with your dental home so that your crown or restoration is placed without gaps or delays in your care.
9. Board certification and continuing education
Dr. Hedrick is one of only a few board-certified endodontists in Pinellas County. Board certification requires passing rigorous written and oral examinations and demonstrating a high standard of clinical competency. He also participates in three ongoing study clubs to stay current with advances in the field.
10. Peace of mind that it was done right the first time
Dr. Hedrick’s guiding philosophy is simple: quality matters, and getting your root canal done correctly the first time costs less in every way than dealing with a failed procedure. Our patients consistently report leaving our office wondering why they were ever afraid.
Ready to schedule?
St. Petersburg Endodontics serves patients from St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, and throughout Pinellas County. Call us at (727) 521-2285 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hedrick.