What is the difference between root canal therapy and extraction?

Big difference: An extraction is final. The tooth is taken out of the mouth and is gone unless replaced some type of appliance, be fixed or removable bridge or implant and crown. A root canal is done to preserve the tooth when the nerve is affected. The tooth can remain in the mouth after a root canal without vital nerve tissue providing it has good bone support.

Saving the tooth: With root canal, the dentist saves your tooth as opposed to removing it.

Big difference: Root canal therapy is a procedure to save the tooth and entails the complete removal of the nerve and all tissues inside the canal or canals of the root(s) of the tooth. The canals are then instrumented and shaped, dried and filled. An extraction is the removal of the tooth in its entirety.

BIG: Root canal therapy has the potential to save a tooth, while extraction is the removal of the tooth.