Root canal therapy is used as a last resort to save your tooth prior to extraction. There’s very little risk associated with root canal therapy in comparison to an extraction. After the procedure, there’s a slight chance that the area may become infected. That’s why it’s important to choose a highly trusted dentist, such as Dr. Bassford, to perform the surgery so you can expect the best possible outcome.
On the other hand, a tooth extraction is necessary when the tooth is decayed and infected beyond repair. When you have a tooth extracted, the resulting gap can lead to bone loss due to the lack of chewing forces that are necessary for strengthening your jaw.
The missing tooth creates a gap that may cause your surrounding teeth to shift position to fill in the gap. That’s why it’s best to preserve your natural tooth and get root canal treatment while there’s still time.