If root canal not fixing the problem, what are the alternatives?

Extraction..: ... Or apicoectomy, if indicated. Nowadays, dental implants are a terrific alternative to trying to resolve infections and problems like yours that just don't seem to go away. Speak to your dentist about your options.

Redo or extract: Many times root canals have to be redone for one reason or another. I would recommend having the tooth evaluated by a specialist to see if you are a candidate for retreatment. An alternative may be to have the tooth extracted an an implant placed, but again that needs to be evaluated.

Retreatment: I would not recommend having it extracted before you seek the opinion of an endodontist. Many times the inside of a tooth is much more complex than the treating dentist could tell or understand. A microscope-equipped endodontist (and preferably one that uses 3d imaging) might be able to redo the procedure and save your natural tooth.

RCT failures: 1. Rct retreatment- especially when the tooth is otherwise healthy & the rct filling(s) appear less than ideal on x-rays. 2. Apicoectomy-especially when the tooth is otherwise healthy, and an infection or cyst present. 3. Extraction-when the tooth has poor bone support, periodontal disease, fragile, lacks adequate healthy tooth structure, calcified canals, short roots, root or crown fracture, etc.