Broken file in root canal

[Liza]

I had a root canal filling last year at a practice in Birmingham. At the time the dentist mentioned that he broke a file in the tooth. He said that the tooth will have to come out if it causes me any pain. Up to last week I had no pain but the tooth is hurting me now.

Is there anything that I can do to save this tooth or does it need to be extracted?

[Dr Vahid Motahar]

Dear Liza

Thank you for your post.

Occasionally it does happen that some instrument used in root canal treatment seperate and remain in the canal. In a lot of cases it remains there passively without causing any complications. But some times infection returns and the tooth becomes symptomatic.

One option is the extraction of the tooth as your dentist has mentioned before but this, long term, can be more problamatic as you will have a gap and then need to do something with the gap. Therefore before considering any extraction one should consider the possibility of saving the tooth by means of re-root canal treatment. This may not be possible in every case and before any judgement is passed on one has to examine and assess the situation.

I suggest you to come and see us for an assessment of the tooth. If possible then try to save it and if not then consider alternative options.

I hope i have been able to put some light on the issue in question.