Endodontics: Top Procedures, Stats, and How to Find the Right Specialist (2026 Guide)
March 30, 2026 · by the Help Me Find A Doctor editorial team
Stats refreshed August 2026
A patient-friendly guide to endodontics — what specialists do, the most common procedures (root canal therapy, endodontic retreatment, apicoectomy), and what to look for when choosing one.
Root canals and saving compromised teeth. Below: the procedures patients ask about most, the numbers that put the field in context, and the questions worth raising at a first consultation with a endodontics specialist.
Top procedures & treatments
Root canal therapy (RCT)
Removes infected pulp and seals the canal system — typically 1–2 visits.
Endodontic retreatment
Revises a previous root canal when infection persists.
Apicoectomy
Surgical removal of the root tip when conventional RCT cannot resolve infection.
Pulp regeneration in immature teeth
Stem-cell-based therapy for traumatized teeth in adolescents.
Cracked-tooth diagnosis
Microscopic and CBCT evaluation to detect occult fractures.
By the numbers
Updated August 2026- Approximately 15 million root canal procedures are performed annually in the U.S., effectively saving natural teeth from extraction (American Association of Endodontists).
- Modern endodontic microsurgery, including apicoectomies, maintains a clinical success rate exceeding 90% in long-term follow-ups (American Association of Endodontists).
- Endodontic retreatment successfully resolves persistent infections in approximately 74% to 86% of cases, preventing the need for dental implants (Journal of Endodontics).
- Cracked teeth account for approximately 7% of diagnostic challenges in endodontic practices, requiring advanced 3D CBCT imaging for assessment (American Association of Endodontists).
Trending this month: Patients are increasingly opting for root canal therapy over extractions to preserve their natural smile, driven by the high success rates of 3D-guided microsurgery and regenerative pulp therapies that restore vitality to immature teeth.
How to choose the right specialist
Verify board certification, ask how many of your specific procedure the clinician performs each year, and review patient outcomes — not just star ratings. A endodontics provider who clearly explains your options, the evidence, and the realistic recovery timeline is worth more than the most heavily advertised name.
Use our directory to filter endodontics specialists by city, then bring this article (and the FAQ below) to your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Does a root canal hurt?
Modern anesthesia and microscopic technique make most root canals no more uncomfortable than a filling.
How long does a root canal last?
With a proper crown afterward, treated teeth routinely last decades.
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