ACCIDENTAL INGESTION Of AN ENDODONTIC FILE DURING ROOT CANAL TREATMENT: A CASE REPORT AND PREVENTIVE CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

Background: Occasionally, dental tools can accidentally get swallowed or breathed
into the airway during root canal treatment. This is not very common but can lead to
serious problems. The chance of this happening increases when it’s hard to use a
rubber dam to isolate the tooth, especially if the tooth has a lot of damage at the top
part.
Case Presentation: A 37-year-old woman came in because she had a painful, long-
lasting inflammation in the pulp of her tooth #36.
The tooth had lost so much of its upper structure that it wasn’t possible to use a
rubber dam, so they used another way to isolate the tooth. During the process of
cleaning the root canals, a #20 K-file slipped into her throat after she suddenly
moved. She had a brief cough and trouble swallowing. X-rays showed the file was in
her stomach. She was sent to see a doctor and was treated with simple care. Follow-
up images showed the instrument moved through her digestive system and passed
naturally within 72 hours.
Discussion: This case shows how to handle situations where standard methods like
using a rubber dam might not work because there’s not enough tooth structure to
hold it in place.
It reviews ways to isolate teeth that are badly damaged and outlines steps to take if
a tool is accidentally swallowed. Preventive steps like building up the tooth before
treatment, tying the tools with floss, and talking to the patient about the risks are
also discussed.
Conclusion: If using a rubber dam isn’t possible, the dentist should focus on
preventive methods to reduce the risk of swallowing or inhaling tools. Early
detection and proper care are important for good results.