BobF
The process of the root canal itself isn't bad.  It's the agony leading up to it that sucks.

 
Not to mention the agony that follows when the bill arrives.

Extractio.... sorry, I thought you were refering to the FSF.

Wookiee
As much as they give you anesthesia for the treatment, Root Canal is still painful as they need to know they have got all the root by probing to the bottom of the canal and into your jaw.
Personal experience says extraction is the less painful route James.

Good luck.

In my experience pain is not an issue anymore. Numbing works so darn well. I've had two root canals done, and two years ago a front tooth implant including a bone transplant from the cheek. Before each of the several operations I took one pill of ibuprofen, and afterwards 1-3 of them. I can't say I experienced actual pain at all except for a few seconds at a time. The first injection was always the worst.
 
The most difficult thing is waiting/anticipating the possible pain.

Extraction removes the tooth and the problem.
 
Root canal essentially kills the tooth by removing the nerve and the blood supply. Then they pack it with mixtures of who knows what and cap it with a crown and leave the dead body part in your body. What other surgeon leaves dead parts in your body?  Nope... just have it pulled. 

As others have pointed out, the root canal isn't necessarily the end of the problems. My dentist always talks to me about having this or that procedure done..... "You know Herb, you have some gum recession going and and we should look at ......"  And normally the proposed solution is multi-thousands of dollars.......

The interesting thing is when they find skulls ..... the teeth are still in them....

I've got a bottle of whiskey, some spare Tramadol and some pliers in me shed...

I had this tooth filled 18 months ago, very deep filling, almost half the tooth I reckon. The dentist filled it slightly too high though, and my 'bite' hasn't been right since.
 
I've had no pain, the filling eventually just fell out last Friday, and to be honest my mouth has felt more comfortable without it.
 
New dentist reckons there's infection in there, but I can't feel anything. I'm inclined to wait and see what happens with the temporary filling she put in yesterday, then make my mind up before the appointment next month.
 
I don't think I could take, or afford, 3 hours of root canal/crown work though, so if it's bothering me by then, it's coming out.

......in the meantime, here's something you can use
 

Thanks Mesh. I might get a bit chilly wearing that though.

dmbaer

BobF
The process of the root canal itself isn't bad.  It's the agony leading up to it that sucks.

 
Not to mention the agony that follows when the bill arrives.

It's always painful when Bill arrives - LOL!!

If you extract it, can they put in one of those titanium replacements? You'll be bad-ass bling for all eternity, and the envy of the other skulls.
 
Best of luck in your journey, hombre, and why not write a song about it??
 
-Tom