Removal of a fractured endodontic instrument from primary molar root canal: a case report

• Autores: Salvador-Salazar, Flor de María, Díaz-Pizán, María Elena, Torres-Ramos, Gilmer
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2025
• Institución: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
• Repositorio: Revistas - Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia
• Lenguaje: español
• OAI Identifier: oai:revistas.upch.edu.pe:article/6441
• Enlace del recurso: https://revistas.upch.edu.pe/index.php/REH/article/view/6441
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: diente primario; odontopediatría; pulpectomía; reporte de caso; primary tooth; pediatric dentistry; pulpectomy; case report; dente decíduo; odontologia pediátrica; pulpectomia; relato de caso

The pediatric dentist may encounter the fracture of an endodontic instrument during pulp treatment. In such cases, removal of the object is necessary, as it may lead to abscess formation, root resorption, and tooth mobility, which could ultimately affect the permanent tooth. The technique used to remove the instrument will depend on its location. This case presents a 4-year and 11-month-old girl who, upon clinical examination, reported pain on vertical percussion. The radiographic evaluation revealed the presence of a radiopaque image in the mesiobuccal root of tooth 54, consistent with the fracture of an endodontic instrument. This fragment, approximately 7 mm in length, extends from the cervical third to the apical region. The final diagnosis was symptomatic apical periodontitis in tooth 54, associated with a previous root canal treatment and a fractured instrument in the mesiobuccal canal. The fractured instrument was successfully removed with favorable results. During the six-month follow-up, a reduction in the widening of the periodontal ligament space in the mesial root was observed, along with the absence of interradicular radiolucency.