Root Canal vs Extraction in Hamilton — Which Is Better? | Red Rose Dentistry
When a tooth is severely infected or damaged, you will be offered two options: save the tooth with a root canal, or remove it with an extraction. At Red Rose Dentistry in Downtown Hamilton, we do not push one over the other — we give you the honest clinical reasoning for each option in your specific situation.
📞 (905) 527-8055) | Book an Assessment → | Open 7 days
Root Canal vs Extraction — The Honest Comparison
| Factor | Root Canal + Crown | Extraction Only | Extraction + Implant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $1,800–$3,200 (root canal + crown) | $150–$450 (extraction) | $3,000–$5,000 (extraction + implant) |
| Your natural tooth | Preserved | Gone permanently | Replaced with implant |
| Adjacent teeth affected | None | Gap can cause drift over years | None — implant fills space |
| Bone preservation | Tooth root preserves bone | Bone resorbs over years (socket graft can slow this) | Implant preserves bone like natural root |
| Treatment time | 1–2 appointments | 1 appointment | 4–8 months total |
| CDCP coverage | ✅ Root canal + crown covered | ✅ Extraction covered | Implant not covered; extraction and crown covered |
When Root Canal Is the Better Choice
- The tooth can be restored to functional and aesthetic condition after treatment
- The surrounding bone is healthy with no significant vertical bone loss
- You want to avoid a gap or the cost/timeline of an implant
- The tooth is a front tooth — losing a visible front tooth has significant aesthetic consequences
- The adjacent teeth are healthy with no existing crowns — no reason to involve them in a bridge
When Extraction Is the Better Choice
- The tooth is fractured below the bone level — non-restorable regardless of root canal
- Severe bone loss around the root from advanced gum disease
- Root canal would be extremely complex (calcified canals, severe curvature) with uncertain prognosis
- The tooth has had multiple failed root canals and re-treatment is unlikely to succeed
- Cost is the primary concern and you are comfortable with a gap or partial denture
What About “Root Canal Causes Disease” — Does That Make Extraction Better?
No — this claim originated from flawed early 20th century research that has been thoroughly discredited. Modern root canal treatment done under proper infection control does not cause systemic disease. The American Association of Endodontists, the Canadian Dental Association, and every major dental organization worldwide confirms this. If you have read content claiming root canals cause cancer or heart disease, that content is scientifically unsupported.
Book an Assessment for Root Canal vs Extraction in Hamilton
📍 135 James St S, Downtown Hamilton | 📞 (905) 527-8055) | Open 7 days | CDCP covers both options
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