Endodontist says i don't need a root canal, dentist says i do. i have pain and sensitivity to cold on tooth. now what do i do.

Check: Sometimes a tooth will become cold-sensitive when it is hitting too hard in your bite. Have your dds check the way you bite. Does the involved tooth seem like it is too high?

Second opinion: It's apparent that you have a complex dental condition. Getting a second opinion on an endodontic problem is sometimes the most important decision a person can make. This can allow the peace of mind before committing to a lengthy and often expensive or unnecessary treatment. Remember: root canal therapy is irreversible procedure.

Get a third opinion : Usually in that case it should be by a more experienced Endodontist , and based on that you should either change your dentist or your endodontist :).

Pain to cold: Pain and sensitivity to cold is often a symptom of a fractured filling, a fractured tooth, bruxism (chronic teeth grinding and/or clenching), gum recession, cervical abfractions (deep grooves in the tooth at the gumline). Of these, only a fractured tooth would normally require a root canal. If the endodontist says no and your dentist has no solution, you should get second opinion.

Different opinions: More details that are not in your question are important such as: Who saw you first and what was the time span between visits? Is the pain getting worse, better or the same? What is the intensity and duration of the pain? Often, the answer as to whether or not RCT is necessary is not 100% apparent. Waiting it out, when all else seems Ok will help determine the need. If you can't wait, do the RCT.