Endodontists are dental specialists who focus on diseases of the dental pulp and root canal systems, and Atlanta’s large population and dense network of general dentists generate consistent referral volume for the city’s specialist endodontic practices. The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) represents board-certified specialists who have completed two to three years of post-dental school residency training specifically in root canal therapy, endodontic surgery, trauma management, and dental pain diagnosis — a depth of training that general dentists offering root canals as part of their practice cannot match. Atlanta’s endodontists operate with operating microscopes, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging, and ultrasonic instruments that enable more precise diagnosis and treatment of complex root systems than was possible with previous technology. Board certification through the American Board of Endodontics is a voluntary additional credential held by a minority of practicing endodontists.
When choosing an endodontist in Atlanta, verify that they are a specialist member of the American Association of Endodontists, which requires completion of an accredited endodontic residency. Ask whether they use a dental operating microscope for all root canal procedures — microscope-aided treatment is the current standard of care for specialist endodontic practice and significantly improves visualization of root anatomy. Board certification through the American Board of Endodontics adds another credential layer, with Diplomate status held by approximately 20% of specialist endodontists. Red flags include practices that cannot provide same-week appointments for pain cases, those that do not use operating microscopes, and general dental offices marketing “painless” root canals performed by non-specialists without appropriate specialist referral for complex anatomy cases.
Top Endodontist Companies in Atlanta
1. Atlanta Center for Endodontics, P.C.
Address: 3200 Downwood Circle, Suite 205, Atlanta, GA 30327
Phone: (404) 351-5510
Website: https://www.atlantacenterforendo.com
Leadership: Dr. Melanie Burns
Services:
- Root canal therapy
- Endodontic retreatment
- Endodontic surgery (apicoectomy)
- Trauma management
- Dental pain diagnosis
About: Dr. Melanie Burns is a board-certified endodontist who earned her undergraduate degree at Stanford University before completing dental school at Harvard School of Dental Medicine with Honors, simultaneously earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health. Board certification by the American Board of Endodontics places her in the top tier of practicing endodontists nationwide. The practice is located in the Buckhead area near I-75 and provides specialist root canal therapy, endodontic retreatment, and endodontic surgery for patients referred by general dentists across the north Atlanta metro area. Dr. Burns’ credentials from Stanford, Harvard, and the American Board of Endodontics represent an unusual concentration of academic and professional achievement.
2. Endodontics of Atlanta
Phone: (470) 260-4700
Website: https://www.endoatl.com
Leadership: Jeffrey K. Waters DMD MS, Carlos Griswold DMD MS, Young Joon Byun DMD
Services:
- Microscopic root canal treatment
- Microsurgical endodontics
- Laser-assisted endodontics
- Endodontic retreatment
- Endodontic surgery
About: Endodontics of Atlanta is a specialist practice dedicated exclusively to microscopic and microsurgical root canal treatment, with offices in Decatur and Midtown Atlanta. All treating doctors hold specialist membership in the American Association of Endodontists and are uniquely qualified to offer laser-assisted endodontics in addition to conventional microscope-aided treatment. Their exclusive focus on endodontics, combined with the surgical and laser capabilities of their three-specialist team, positions them for referral of the most complex cases. Operating under dental operating microscopes for all procedures reflects adherence to the highest current clinical standards for specialist endodontic practice.
3. Endodontics of Buckhead
Address: Atlanta, GA 30319 (Buckhead)
Phone: (404) 724-5776
Website: https://www.endodonticsofbuckhead.com
Leadership: Dr. Mark Barr, Dr. Avni Maru
Services:
- Root canal treatment
- Endodontic retreatment
- Endodontic surgery
- Sedation for anxious patients (nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation)
- Emergency endodontic care
About: Drs. Mark Barr and Avni Maru together bring over three decades of combined experience to Endodontics of Buckhead, serving patients referred by general dentists across north Atlanta and Buckhead. The practice’s sedation options including nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation address the significant portion of dental patients who experience anxiety around endodontic procedures, making treatment more accessible for those who might otherwise delay care. Their Buckhead location serves one of Atlanta’s densest concentrations of dental patients and referring general dentists. The practice’s depth of combined experience across two specialist practitioners allows them to handle a broad range of case complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I need an endodontist rather than my regular dentist in Atlanta?
A: Your general dentist will typically refer you to an endodontist when a tooth has deep decay reaching the pulp, severe infection, severe pain that may indicate pulp death or abscess, previous failed root canal treatment requiring retreatment, complex root anatomy that exceeds general dentist comfort level, or suspected root fracture requiring surgical evaluation. Endodontists see a higher volume of root canal cases than general dentists and use specialized equipment including operating microscopes and 3D imaging that general dentists may not have, making referral to a specialist appropriate for complex or painful cases. For straightforward root canals on single-rooted teeth like front teeth, many general dentists in Atlanta are well-equipped to perform the procedure.
Q: How much does a root canal cost with an endodontist in Atlanta?
A: Endodontist fees for root canal treatment in Atlanta typically range from $800 to $1,500 for anterior (front) teeth, $900 to $1,600 for premolars, and $1,000 to $1,800 for molars, which have the most complex root systems. These fees are typically higher than general dentist root canal fees but reflect the specialist’s expertise and equipment. Most dental insurance plans cover endodontic treatment at a defined benefit level, commonly 50% to 80% of the fee up to an annual maximum. The crown placed by your general dentist after the root canal is typically a separate cost. Emergency consultations and X-rays are generally billed in addition to the root canal fee.
Q: Is a root canal painful with an Atlanta endodontist?
A: Modern root canal treatment performed under adequate local anesthesia is generally no more uncomfortable than having a filling placed — the procedure addresses the source of pain rather than causing it. Endodontists are specifically trained in pain management and the use of local anesthetics, making them more experienced than general dentists at achieving effective anesthesia even in inflamed or infected teeth where achieving numbness can be more challenging. Some soreness in the days following treatment is normal as healing occurs, typically manageable with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. The most painful part of a root canal is usually the delay in seeking treatment — the longer an infected tooth goes untreated, the more severe the pain and potential infection spread.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s specialist endodontic practices offer advanced root canal and endodontic surgical care with credentials and technology that exceed what general dentistry practices can provide. Atlanta Center for Endodontics brings board certification and Stanford/Harvard academic credentials to Buckhead-area specialist care. Endodontics of Atlanta combines a three-specialist team with exclusive microscopic and laser-assisted endodontic capabilities in Decatur and Midtown. Endodontics of Buckhead offers decades of combined specialist experience with sedation options for anxious patients. Contact any of these practices or ask your general dentist for a referral when specialist endodontic care is needed.