Bilcero:

If it was me, I would do everything possible to avoid any root canals.
I would just tell them to pull it. (And have an artificial one put in, if needed)
Here is why:

http://tuberose.com/Root_Canals.html
http://www.rheumatic.org/teeth.htm
http://www.healingdaily.com/exercise/root-canals.htm
http://www.whale.to/d/root2.html