Can there be an alternative to root canal treatment?

Extraction: Usually, the only other option to having rct is having the tooth exracted.

Removal: Extraction is the other option if the pulp is infected/damaged beyond recovery and root canal procedure is denied.

Pulpectomy: Although extraction is an alternative to root canal treatment, it is a bad alternative if if occurs to a first molar. Replacement of a missing tooth is a lot more costly than a root canal. To save money, i would try root canal and a filling and do the crown later when i can afford it. If that is still expensive, remove the tooth nerve (pulpectomy) and have couple years to save for root canal.

Extraction!: If a tooth requires a root canal it most likely that decay or damage has involved the tooth's pulp. Root canal will allow a tooth's hard tissue to be saved and restored, but one can always opt to have the effected tooth extracted to avoid future pain, suffering and potential bodily harm.