Why this choice comes up
Inside each tooth is a soft centre called the pulp. If decay, gum disease, or a chipped, cracked or broken tooth lets germs in, the pulp can get infected. A dental abscess, which is a pocket of pus, can form.
The NHS says root canal treatment is usually recommended for pain from infection of the pulp. If the tooth isn't treated that way, it may need to be taken out.
Which is right for you depends on the tooth. Your dentist will advise you.
What a root canal involves
The NHS says the dentist removes the infected pulp, cleans and shapes the inside of the tooth, and seals it. You have a local anaesthetic. It usually takes 2 or more appointments, of an hour or two or longer. A crown may be needed afterwards.
Soreness usually eases within a couple of weeks.
- Good points: you may keep your own tooth, and your bite stays the same.
- Things to weigh: it can take more than one visit; the tooth may need a crown, which costs extra; and the infection can come back, so the tooth may still need to come out later.
What an extraction involves
Your dentist numbs the area and takes the tooth out. A simple extraction is for a tooth that can be lifted out whole. A surgical one is for a tooth that's harder to reach. The NHS says recovery often takes a few days, with some discomfort for up to about two weeks.
- Good points: it deals with the problem, and is often done in one visit.
- Things to weigh: you lose the tooth. A gap can make chewing harder and can let nearby teeth drift. You may want to replace the tooth, for example with an implant, which costs more.
What if you do nothing?
A painful, infected tooth can get worse. The infection can spread and cause swelling or an abscess. Please don't wait if you have swelling, a fever, or pain that keeps you awake. Call us or NHS 111. See our emergency page.
What each costs here
Our prices are on our pricing page.
- Root canal treatment: from £500 for a front tooth, from £600 for a premolar and from £700 for a molar.
- Simple extraction: guide price £150. Surgical extraction: from £250.
A crown after a root canal is a separate cost. Your dentist will give you a written plan and price before they start. Treatment may not suit everyone.
Dr Ahmed Elhdiri has a special interest in root canal treatment, and Dr Kamil Aziz has a special interest in oral surgery. See our team page.
Questions to ask your dentist
- Can this tooth be saved? How likely is that?
- What are the risks of each choice?
- How many visits will each need?
- What will it cost in total, including any crown?
- What happens if I choose to do nothing?
Read more on our root canal page and extractions page.