Is It Cheaper to Get a Root Canal or Extraction?
By Dr. Eastwood – Summerbrook Dental & Implants, Fort Worth, TX
Many people wonder whether it costs less to get a root canal or to have a tooth pulled. The short answer is that an extraction is usually cheaper at first, but a root canal can save you money in the long run.
A root canal cleans out the infected or damaged nerve inside your tooth. After that, we seal the tooth and often place a crown to make it strong again. While the cost of a root canal and crown can be higher than just pulling a tooth, you get to keep your natural tooth. This helps you chew, speak, and smile without gaps, and it prevents other teeth from shifting.
An extraction removes the tooth completely and usually costs less up front. But when a tooth is gone, it needs to be replaced with a bridge, denture, or dental implant to keep your bite even and protect your jawbone. Those replacement options add more costs over time—sometimes much more than a root canal would have cost.
If you leave the space empty after an extraction, nearby teeth may move, your bite can change, and the bone in your jaw may shrink. This can lead to bigger dental problems that are more expensive to fix later.
At Summerbrook Dental & Implants, I always help patients look at the full picture—not just the short-term cost. While extractions may seem like the cheaper option now, root canals can be the smarter investment for your long-term oral health.
We are a no-judgment office, so whether you’re trying to save a tooth or considering an extraction, you can feel comfortable talking through your options with us. My goal is to help you choose the treatment that’s best for your health, smile, and budget.