Root canal treatment is one of the most effective treatments to save an infected or traumatic tooth. Instrumentation have made the work easier and safer but unlike anything which has it’s pros and cons, it comes with unexpected complications like separation or breakage of nickel-titanium (NiTi) file inside the root canal.
Case summary:
A mid-age woman visited my hospital for her treatment of lower first molar which required root canal treatment. While taking the IOPA with the RVG she clenched her mouth with the NiTi hand file no. 6 inside her mouth which fractured inside the canal. An x-ray was again taken to determine the size and position of the separated fragment and the patient was informed about the complication. Since attempting to retrieve the file again could have damaged the root severely, so it was left in the canal and other canals were cleaned and irrigated thoroughly.
Why does the NiTi file break?
Files may be fractured due to curved or narrow canals, using the same files repeatedly, calcified canals and thus using excessive pressure.
So if a file breaks, it doesn’t mean that the treatment has failed. Careful case assessment, proper management and regular follow-ups are needed.
What other complication have you even while doing RCT?
MBH/PS