Many people feel that having a tooth extracted and replaced with a bridge or an implant is a good alternative to having root canal treatment. However, this is not true for several reasons.

First, nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause the patient to avoid certain foods. Maintaining the natural dentition is important so that the patient can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in his or her diet.

Second, endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulps and usually is less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. As previously mentioned, endodontic treatment has a very high success rate.

Third, placement of a bridge or an implant will require significantly more time in treatment and may result in further insult to adjacent teeth and supporting tissues. Millions of endodontically treated teeth have been well maintained in patients for many years after the initial treatment. These now healthy teeth are helping patients chew efficiently and help to maintain the natural appearance of their smile.