When a tooth aches so badly that it wakes you up at night, it’s tempting to think, “Just pull it.” However, removing a tooth isn’t always the fastest or most cost-effective path to relief. In many cases, a root canal—paired with a durable crown—can save your natural tooth, stop the pain, and protect your bite for years. Here’s how to decide between saving and removing a tooth, and what to expect with each path at our Pasadena practice.
What’s Causing the Pain?
Deep decay, fractures, or previous trauma can inflame or infect the pulp (the nerve tissue inside your tooth). Root canal therapy removes the infected tissue, disinfects the canal, and seals it to prevent reinfection. An extraction removes the entire tooth and root from the jawbone. Both stop pain; the long-term effects differ.
When Root Canal Therapy Makes Sense
If the surrounding bone and gum tissue are healthy and the tooth structure is strong enough to hold a crown, saving the tooth preserves your natural bite. Because your tooth root continues to stimulate jawbone, you avoid the bone loss that often follows extractions. After healing, we place a custom crown—often part of a restorative dentistry plan—to strengthen the tooth for daily function.
When Extraction Is the Better Choice
We may recommend extraction if the tooth is fractured below the gumline, has insufficient structure to support a crown, or has repeated infections that make retreatment unlikely to succeed. If removal is necessary, we’ll also plan for replacement to protect your chewing function and neighboring teeth.
Replacement Options After Extraction
Dental implants: A long-lasting, stand-alone solution that replaces the entire missing tooth—from root to crown. Explore our Dental Implants page to see how they work.
Bridges: An option that uses the adjacent teeth as supports.
Removable partial dentures: A budget-friendly way to replace multiple teeth at once.
Comparing Comfort, Time, and Cost
Modern root canals are far more comfortable than their reputation suggests—especially with local anesthesia and, if desired, sedation dentistry. Most cases are completed in one visit, followed by a crown appointment. Extractions are quicker but require healing time and, if you’re replacing the tooth, additional visits for implants, bridges, or partials. Over the long run, preserving a natural tooth can be comparable in cost to extraction plus replacement—and it maintains your original bite.
How to Decide with Confidence
We’ll evaluate X-rays, test the tooth’s response to temperature and pressure, and discuss your goals. If a root canal offers a strong prognosis, saving the tooth is typically our first choice. If not, we’ll map out a replacement pathway that fits your timeline and budget.
Caring for Your Tooth After Treatment
Whether you choose a root canal or extraction, follow post-care instructions carefully. Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on it until we give the green light, and attend your follow-up so we can confirm proper healing. Most patients return to normal routines quickly—and are relieved to have the nagging pain behind them.
Why Choose Eversmiles Dental
From same-day relief to long-term planning, our team focuses on comfort, clarity, and predictable results. We’ll guide you step by step and help you choose a plan that preserves health and function.
To stop the pain and protect your smile, contact Eversmiles Dental in Pasadena at Call Us Today or Contact Us to schedule your visit.