File Left in After Root Canal. Risk of Long-term Problems?

Question

I Had a Root Canal Done and the File Was Left in It. The Endo Cannot Remove It , Can This Be a Problem in the Long Run?

Mauricio C. Tijerino, DMD · Answer

If the root canal treatment was done properly with a rubber dam and the canals were cleaned and disinfected and properly sealed, then you will probably NOT have any problems.

	Files can break withour warning and this happens all the time. Some can be removed, others can by by-passed and others actually cause a blockage in the canal. The prognosis depends on whether the canal was clean prior to the file breaking. Also on the location of the file. If it is mid root and it is blocking the bottom half of the root, then the prognosis is not good. However, if it is near the tip of the root or if they were able to bypass it to clean and seal the root then it may be OK.

	The fact that you were informed about the file shows that you have a good and ethical dentist and you should not change dentist because of this incident. You just have to wait and see. Follow up with an x-ray every year and keep an eye out for symptoms such as pain or swelling. If the tooth needs a crown then you may want to wait at least 6 mo before doing it. You can have bonded filling in the meanwhile to keep it sealed and protected.

	If symptoms to come up then you have few options. One is extract and the other is an apicoectomy. Your endodontist should advise you on this.

	good luck

	Dr. T

Carlo Biasucci, DDS · Answer

Generally it is not going to be a problem, but if the root canal treatment does fail, which can happen anytime including years later, then you'll have to deal with it. Until then, will likely be fine as is. If the root canal does fail, you may lose the tooth and will be looking at replacement. Best to have the tooth checked every other year at least on xray so any problem can be found sooner than later and avoid significant infection that can hinder your tooth replacement options, ie if there is an abscess at that tooth that is left untreated for some time, there will be some bone destruction - you need all the bone you have for an implant. In short, don't worry about the file, but be mindful of where it might go down the road. Of course it is entirely possible there will never be a problem.

Jay Neuhaus, DDS · Answer

Usually, it does not present a problem. I would suggest ":watchful waiting". Take an X-ray every year or 2.

Steve Alper, DMD · Answer

Broken and retained root canal files are common enough that we have all seen them regularly in our practices.  There is no way to know whether the file will present a problem in the future or not.  If the file cannot be removed there are only two choices.  One option would be to finish restoring the tooth and wait and see - if the tooth is monitored by your dentist and no problems develop...then no problems develop.   The other option is to remove the tooth and replace with an implant, bridge or denture.  I hope this answers your question adequately.

	 

	Best,

	Dr. Alper

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