When severe tooth pain begins, many people wonder whether a root canal or a tooth extraction is the better solution. Both treatments help remove infection and offer tooth pain relief, but they work very differently. Before choosing, it is important to understand how each option affects your smile and whether the goal should be to save your tooth or replace it later.

A root canal (also called endodontic treatment) removes the infected pulp inside your tooth while keeping the natural tooth structure in place. This means the tooth can stay strong and functional for many years. Most dentists recommend this treatment because saving your natural tooth helps maintain your bite, jawbone, and appearance. Also, patients often feel immediate tooth pain relief once the infection is cleaned out.

Choosing a root canal also prevents future dental problems. When you save your tooth, you avoid shifting teeth, bone loss, chewing issues, and the cost of future tooth replacement options.

While saving the tooth is ideal, there are times when tooth extraction is the only option. This usually happens when the tooth is severely cracked, broken beyond repair, or when infection has spread too much. Removing the tooth may stop the pain quickly, but it also creates an empty space that must later be filled with a crown, bridge, or implant.

If a missing tooth is left untreated, nearby teeth may drift, your bite can change, and your jawbone may begin to shrink. This is why dentists try to avoid extraction unless absolutely necessary.

A root canal keeps your natural tooth in place, which protects your bone, your smile shape, and your chewing strength. On the other hand, a tooth extraction may sound simple at first, but it often requires more treatments later to replace the missing tooth.

Most patients find that endodontic treatment is more cost-effective in the long run because they avoid replacement procedures. Your natural tooth, once restored, can last for decades with proper care.

Both treatments help with tooth pain relief, but the best choice depends on the condition of your tooth. If the tooth can be saved, dentists will always recommend a root canal because nothing works as well as your natural tooth. Extraction is reserved only for cases where the tooth cannot be restored.

To make the right decision, a dentist will examine your tooth, review your symptoms, take X-rays, and explain whether saving or removing the tooth is best for your long-term health.

Still unsure whether you need a root canal or tooth extraction?

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