Unfortunately the options are limited. The only alternative to root canal treatment is often extraction of the tooth. After an extraction the surrounding teeth have a tendency to shift and move into the newly created space. This can cause aesthetic concerns and occlusion (chewing) problems. It is thus recommended that this space be filled with an implant or a fixed bridge, which are both more costly than a root canal. Although these are adequate and quite successful replacements, nothing is as good as your natural tooth.