May 10, 2026
Root canal or extraction — when to save the tooth
General Dentistry
Save the tooth with a root canal or remove it? Compare the trade-offs, recovery, costs and long-term options — a clear guide from Berala Dental, Sydney.
Save the tooth with a root canal or remove it? Compare the trade-offs, recovery, costs and long-term options — a clear guide from Berala Dental, Sydney.
By the Berala Dental clinical team. Educational information only — this article is general information and is not a substitute for personalised dental advice. Please book a consultation to discuss your individual needs.
When a tooth is badly decayed or infected, you're usually choosing between a root canal to save the tooth or an extraction to remove it — and keeping your natural tooth is often the preferred option where it's possible. The right choice depends on how restorable the tooth is, your overall health, and your long-term plans. Here's how the two compare so you can make an informed decision.
A root canal treats infection inside a tooth. The infected or inflamed tissue (the pulp) is removed, the inside is cleaned and sealed, and the tooth is usually protected afterwards, often with a crown. The aim is to keep your natural tooth in place and working.
An extraction removes the tooth entirely. It can be the more sensible choice when a tooth is cracked too far down, severely broken, or otherwise not restorable. If a tooth is removed, you'll usually want to think about replacing it to maintain your bite and stop other teeth drifting — for example with an implant, bridge or denture.
A well-treated, well-restored tooth after a root canal can last for many years, and keeping your natural tooth has real long-term benefits for your bite and jawbone. That said, the best choice depends on your specific tooth — sometimes removal and replacement is genuinely the better long-term plan. We'll give you an honest recommendation rather than a one-size-fits-all answer.
Many root canals are straightforward, while some are better treated by a specialist (an endodontist), particularly complex cases. If that's the right path for you, we'll explain why and help arrange a referral.
We don't publish set prices, because the honest figure depends on the tooth, its condition and what's actually needed — including any crown afterwards or tooth replacement. The only accurate figure is one based on examining your mouth. Book a consultation for an itemised written quote, and check any rebate with your health fund. See our fees page.
Where a tooth can be predictably saved, keeping your natural tooth is usually preferred because it maintains your bite and jawbone. But if a tooth is too damaged, removal and replacement may be the better long-term option. An examination tells us which applies to you.
Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable. It's often done to relieve the pain of an infected tooth rather than cause it.
Common ways to replace a missing tooth include an implant, a bridge or a denture. We'll talk through the pros and cons of each for your situation — see our implants page.
Sometimes, but missing teeth can let others drift and affect your bite over time. It's worth discussing replacement even if you don't decide straight away.
Book online, call (02) 9649 6468, or click our WhatsApp to chat now: message Berala Dental on WhatsApp. In pain right now? See our emergency page.
We review this article periodically so the information stays current for 2026.