A novel technique for the removal of fractured instruments in the apical third of curved root canals.
OBJECTIVE
To report on a conservative approach for removal of a fractured file in the severely curved apical portion of the distobuccal canal of a mandibular molar.


CONCLUSIONS
With the assistance of stainless steel hand files and a chloroform-dipped gutta-percha cone, a fractured rotary NiTi instrument was successfully removed. The use of this technique may assist in removal of loose instrument fragments that are not easily accessible to other removal techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Instrument fractures do not always lead to an unfavourable prognosis and their removal from the apical third of curved canals should not be routinely attempted. The case highlights that it is possible to conservatively remove loosely bound objects from the hard-to-reach areas of the root canal system.
Rahimi
M
M
School of Dental Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. mehdi@mail.usyd.edu.au
Parashos
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D002725:Chloroform / Q000737:chemistry; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000628:therapy*; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D009532:Nickel; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013193:Stainless Steel; D014025:Titanium; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003722:Dental Alloys; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; C040654:titanium nickelide; D013193:Stainless Steel; D009532:Nickel; D002725:Chloroform; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D014025:Titanium