What are some alternatives to having a root canal?

Extraction: Either you need root canal therapy, or you don't. If the nerve in the tooth has been irreversibly damaged, then the nerve needs to be removed (root canal therapy) or the tooth needs to be extracted. There is not much else you can do.

An implant.: While endodontic /root canal therapy is currently considered a primary treatment modality for a tooth whose nerve has been irreversibly damaged, depending on the extent and the cause of the damage, the placement of a dental implant may have superior long term prognosis. This particularly applies to teeth cracked down the middle and teeth that have little or no natural structure remaining.

Extraction, implant: If you don't want to get a root canal , extraction or removal of the tooth is the only option left, then you can restore the space with a dental implant or a fixed bridge, see your dentist for a consult.

Extract the tooth: If a tooth requires a root canal and you do not do it, it may affect the bone of the adjacent teeth and you may end up losing more than one tooth. The best thing is to have the root anal done.

Extract it or fix it: For many of my patients, i offer the opportunity to postpone the inevitable root canal filling, by removing the infected nerve only. This is only a temporary stop-gap solution. And it is not meant to be a permanent fix. This is known as a pulpectomy. And will 'buy' you a few months to ultimately decide to finish the root canal or simply extract it. At least pain won't be a deciding factor.

Not many: You generally need a root canal when the nerve in the tooth is infected. This infection is left long enough will infect not only the surrounding bone but other teeth given enough time. Antibiotics will only hold it off. If you wait too long your only alternative will be to have the tooth extracted leading to more pain and expense. Fix it now is the best and least expensive alternative.

Extraction: If the nerve inside the tooth is dead, the only option besides doing a root canal is removal of the tooth. Otherwise, an infection can occur which may affect other parts of your body.