Do I save that tooth?

How do you decide when to save a tooth or have it pulled?

From a Dental Health standpoint it's always better to to save a tooth if you can. But for many it comes down to cost. Pulling a tooth might cost $150-$200 while saving a tooth that may need root canal treatment and a crown (cap) could be $1500-$2000.
But wait, is $200 the only cost of pulling a tooth? If you don't replace the tooth, teeth can shift and collapse the bite, (think of a fence collapsing when a post goes missing). This can result in TMJ problems, possible need for braces and restoration of the lost space (cost $3000-$5000+).
What if you replace the lost tooth right away? you could place a bridge ($2500-$3000), an implant ($2500-$3000), or a removable partial denture ($500-1500 depending on how it is made) That will often need several replacements over a lifetime.
So before you "Just pull it" because its cheaper, think again.