Picture this: You’re at the dentist for a root canal when your dentist informs you that the tip of one of his instruments has broken off. Depending on when this happened during the root canal, your dentist might be able to fill and seal your tooth without extracting the piece of the dental file without reducing the procedure’s success rate. However, removing the dental file and navigating around the root of the tooth can be extremely difficult to do without causing future problems for the patient.
Now you may be wondering if your dentist will be able to extract the tip or if it’s safe to leave the dental file inside your root canal. Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry explains what to do when this happens during your root canal to ensure you’re left with a perfect smile.
Do Dental Files Need to be Removed from Inside the Root Canal?
Damage to one of the dentist’s instruments is one of many complications that can arise during a root canal. However, if it does happen, your dentist should remove it instead of leaving the dental file inside the root canal. If left inside, the chances of your root canal failing increase drastically. Not only that, but the dental file can cause discomfort and irritate your tooth, leading you to schedule yet another root canal in a few months.
How Often Do Dental Instruments Break During Root Canals?
You might find yourself wondering how often this happens. While it isn’t prevalent, you must be aware of why dental files can break off during a root canal. It can occur if an individual’s canals are abnormally curved or tight. This problem increases the risk of having a complication during the procedure.
Another reason this can happen is if a dentist is reusing old files, time and time again. The more use they get out of a dental file, the more worn down they become, increasing the likelihood of the tip breaking off. All reused tools must be closely monitored for wear and tear that might lead to defects and problems down the line.
How to Remove Dental Files from Your Root Canal
If you’re having complications from dental files left behind from your root canal, ask your dentist for a referral to a root canal specialist, also known as an endodontist. A specialist must review your case and provide a treatment plan to fix the problem. In the meantime, it’s recommended that you get a temporary crown installed on your tooth until you decide what to do. You can choose between leaving the dental files inside, having your dentist perform another root canal, or visiting an endodontist who can use special tools.to extract the tip of the file safely
Call Dr. Rath for Cosmetic Dentistry in Billings Montana
If you’re interested in cosmetic dentistry to enhance or correct your smile, Dr. Rath and her staff can help you determine if porcelain veneers and crowns are the right solutions for you. Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry offers only the best, with today’s state-of-the-art porcelain materials, ensuring you have metal-free crowns that genuinely look like natural teeth.
Contact our team to schedule a free smile design consultation, during which you can sit down with Dr. Rath and have her answer any questions you might have.
