Reviewed by a licensed dentistTreatment: Root canalCode: D3310–D3330Question: Trade-offs
Root canal: risks and benefits
The short answer
A root canal lets you keep your natural tooth, and nothing chews quite like the original. The main downsides are cost, time, and the chance it needs a redo later.
Side by side
Benefits
- Keeps your own tooth, which usually chews and feels best
- Removes the source of infection
- Usually costs less than removing the tooth and replacing it with an implant or bridge
Risks and downsides
- Cost and time: a back tooth almost always needs a crown afterward to protect it from cracking, which means another visit and added cost. Front teeth often get one too, though one with plenty of healthy tooth left may do fine with just a filling. See Do I need a crown afterward?
- Some soreness for a few days
- It can fail and need retreatment or extraction
Questions to ask
- What are the chances this tooth does well long term?
- If it doesn't work, what would the next step be?
- Should a specialist do this one?
- Before we schedule, can I get my cost in writing? (A predetermination if I'm using insurance, or a good faith estimate if I'm paying myself.)
When a second opinion makes sense
Consider one if your dentist rates the tooth's long-term chances as poor but still recommends saving it.