Root canal vs extraction: which is better?
Quick answer
Is it better to have a root canal or have the tooth extracted?
Saving your natural tooth with root canal treatment is usually the healthier, more cost-effective choice.
Root canal at York House Dental Practice in West Byfleet costs £525 to £775 depending on the tooth. An extraction starts from £190, but replacing the resulting gap with a dental implant (from £2,500) or bridge (from £750 per unit) costs significantly more in time and money.
| Root canal treatment | Tooth extraction | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost at York House | £525–£775, plus a crown from £795 | From £190 |
| Your natural tooth | Kept | Removed |
| Replacing the gap | Not needed | Implant from £2,500 or bridge from £750 per unit |
| Long-term outlook | About 9 in 10 survive 10 years or longer when crowned | Neighbouring teeth tilt; jawbone resorbs |
| Treatment time | 1–3 visits | One visit, plus healing |
| Best for | Restorable teeth | Vertical fractures, no bone support, unrestorable teeth |
What you need to know
Pulling a damaged tooth may feel like a quick fix for pain, but leaving a space causes neighbouring teeth to tilt, opposing teeth to over-erupt, and jawbone to resorb. Eating comfortably and maintaining a balanced bite becomes more difficult.
A root canal cleans out infected pulp while preserving your natural tooth root in the jawbone. According to NHS clinical data, about 9 in 10 root-canal-treated teeth survive for up to 10 years or longer, especially when protected with a custom porcelain crown (from £795).
Extraction is only advised when a tooth is cracked vertically down the root, possesses inadequate bone support from advanced gum disease, or is unrestorable. Our dentists examine you and explain every option with transparent quotes.
Care at York House Dental Practice
Welcoming new patients, families and emergency appointments from West Byfleet, Woking, Weybridge, and across Surrey.
Last reviewed: by Dr Kaveet Patel, Principal Dentist
