From cheers to tears: The tale of separated endodontic instruments

Objectives: The advent of new endodontic instruments such as rotary files, no doubt, revolutionized the practice of endodontics leading to faster canal preparation and general improvement in treatment outcome. However, many clinicians embraced these new inventions without adequate training and cost considerations. This has lead to increased file separation either due to improper use or overuse of the files or both. Whereas several short courses have been organized across the globe to popularize the use of rotary file among dentists, very few of them address complications that may be associated with use of such instruments. This has lead to cheerful clinicians being reduced to tears whenever such incidences happen.
The aim of this presentation therefore is to address the problem of separated instruments and highlight the current management protocol for various cases of separated instruments and also shed light on various causes of separation and outline methods by which clinicians can prevent the same.
Methods: This lecture based on broad literature review will be delivered via power point and videos.
Results: Audience will hopefully after the lecture be well versed on how to prevent and manage cases of separated instruments.
Conclusions: Though cases of separated instruments can be very challenging and can easily drive a clinician to tears as well as medico-legal procedures, it is possible to prevent their occurrence and manage them when they occur.