Yes, an endodontist is a root canal specialist and they have a lot of neat tricks up their sleeves (but they're more expensive). I had to have surgery and stuff to get a tooth "ready" for a crown as well as have the root canal and went to one and it was fine/easy.

Good for you, Maven, for not giving up your dreams or taking advice that doesn't fit you. My husband had gum disease and didn't like the pain of getting his teeth deep cleaned so just let all his teeth fall out (and then the last few pulled) so he could get dentures. I'm just use to going to the dentist and am very grateful my stepmom took me every six months and that I'm more or less use to it (seeings how I've been to the dentist at least 125 times in my life? :-)