Root canals stop the pain! Root canal therapy is necessary because the tooth will not heal by itself. Without treatment, infection will spread, the bone around the tooth will begin to break down and swelling, or an abscess, can occur. Pain usually worsens until one is forced to seek emergency dental attention. The only alternative is usually extraction of the tooth, which can cause surrounding teeth to shift crookedly, resulting in a bad bite and jaw pain. Though an extraction is cheaper, the space left behind will require an implant or a bridge, which can be more expensive than root canal therapy. If you have the choice, it’s always best to keep your original teeth. The longer your prolong treatment, the worse the situation will become, often resulting in more expensive and more painful procedures than if it was taken care of sooner.