Retrieval of separated instrument from the root canal using ultrasonics: A report of two cases

Every dental clinician may have encountered instrument separation during root canal treatment. Separation of endodontic instrument in the root canal affects accessibility to the apical foramen of root thus compromising cleaning and shaping, which ultimately affects success of treatment. The traditional methods to recover separated instruments often require removal of large amount of tooth structure, potentially leading to perforation and even root fracture. Today, these dangers can be minimized with innovations in technology such as dental operating microscope and ultrasonics. The present two cases highlight on the successful retrieval of separated instruments from the coronal and middle third of the root canals using ultrasonics under dental operating microscope.