Is it better to have root canal treatment or to extract the tooth?
When possible, keeping your natural tooth is generally preferable. Extraction is discussed if the tooth is too damaged, fractured deep down or if its outlook is uncertain.
Root canal treatment
A well-treated natural tooth is often the most comfortable solution: it keeps its sensations, its bone and its gum. Root canal treatment followed by a restoration allows it to stay in use for a long time in many cases.
Extraction may seem simpler in the short term, but it leaves a gap that generally needs filling with an implant, a bridge or a denture. Without a replacement, the neighbouring teeth can tilt and chewing can become unbalanced.
There are, however, situations where keeping the tooth is not reasonable: a vertical fracture of the root, very deep decay below the gum, significant bone loss or the failure of a previous treatment that is difficult to redo.
The dentist examines the tooth, studies the X-ray and presents the options with their advantages, their limits and a written estimate for each. The decision is made together.
This is a general answer. Only a consultation at the practice can tell what suits your situation.