Fate of Extruded Sealer: A Matter of Concern

The most important objective of successful root canal treatment is thorough biomechanical preparation of root canal. Elimination of infected pulp and dentine, adequate root canal preparation and three dimensional obturation constitute the basic principle of root canal treatment. Ideally, the filling material along with sealer should be confined to the root canal without extending to periapical tissue or other neighboring structures. Endodontic filling material and sealer, beyond the apical foramen may give rise to clinical manifestations as a result of the toxicity of the product. When the extruded material is either close to or in intimate contact with nerve structures, anesthesia, hypoaesthia, paraesthasia, or dysaesthesia may occur. The purpose of this paper is to discuss few cases of apical extrusion of sealer during obturation and its effects on periapical tissue and the success of treatment.