Root canal or extraction?

Got a tooth that needed a gap filled between the crown and base of tooth. All well and good UNTIL the pain started. I thought maybe that was a response from not using novacaine. Well, no, there is an infection. Okay, got antibiotics going but the end game decision is: do you want a root canal or pull the tooth. Since it's the last tooth on the left, I'm leaning toward pulling it. If the 3 Stooges were in town, they would probably just knock it out. Anybody been in the same spot? What did you do and were you happy with your decision? Thanks!
I travel 170 one way to use my Dentist of 20 sumpin years as the dude is that good. I'd go with the root canal and if it fails in the future you could go with an implant but probably not needed as a back molar.

Remember Soupy Sales famous quote,
" Be true to your teeth and they won't be false to you. "