Root Canal vs. Extraction: Which Is Right for You?

Video Transcript

Root canal or extraction — which is right for you? Let's compare them side by side. A root canal saves your natural tooth. It maintains your jawbone, preserves bite alignment, requires no implant surgery, and the tooth looks and functions naturally. You keep your own ligament, your own nerve sensation, and your own bone support. Extraction starts a chain reaction. First the tooth is removed. Then bone starts resorbing at the extraction site. Adjacent teeth begin to shift. Your bite changes. Eventually you need an implant ($3,000–$6,000+) or a bridge to replace what was lost — plus potential bone grafting if too much bone has dissolved. Root canal plus crown is typically a one-time procedure completed in one to two visits. Extraction plus implant plus crown involves multiple surgeries spread over months, with a total cost that is often two to three times higher than saving the tooth. Root canals performed by a specialist endodontist have a 95%+ success rate. A treated tooth can last as long as your natural teeth with proper care. The published literature shows survival rates comparable to single-tooth implants at 5 and 10 years. Sometimes extraction is the best option: severe fractures below the gumline, advanced periodontal disease, or non-restorable teeth. Dr. Kung will give you an honest assessment and a clear recommendation. Dr. Jason Kung, DDS, MS — Specialist Endodontist. Call (669) 234-2354 or visit svendodontics.com. 1565 Hollenbeck Avenue, Suite 106, Sunnyvale, CA 94087.