10/07/2026
Precision matters more than force!
A challenging case involving a 15 mm separated instrument in a maxillary right canine, fractured during primary root canal treatment by a colleague. The tooth had a ceramic veneer that needed to remain completely intact, with an exceptional working length of 29.5 mm, making retrieval significantly more demanding.
Ultrasonic tips were used to carefully expose and loosen the fragment. However, as often happens in these cases, limited coronal access prevented a long instrument from being removed with ultrasonics alone. Without a direct retrieval path, the fragment remained impossible to retrieve safely.
The solution was the Loop Technique, allowing secure engagement and controlled retrieval of the loosened fragment while preserving the veneer and avoiding unnecessary removal of valuable tooth structure.
This case highlights an important principle: ultrasonics are exceptional for troughing around and mobilizing separated instruments, but in restricted access cases, a dedicated grasping technique is often the key to successful retrieval. Conservative endodontics is not only about saving teeth….it is also about preserving existing restorations whenever possible.
