Management of a separated paste carrier in the mandibular central incisor

Success and failure of root canal treatment are a debatable topic as it depends on various factors, including knowledge and expertise of the clinician as well as host responses that are subjective in nature. Knowing the canal anatomy to guide the instrument through it is as important as knowing the complications of guiding it through the canal. One such complication often encountered by clinicians is instrument separation. The protocols recommended to manage the complication include leaving the separated instrument in situ in the root canal, bypassing the fragment and incorporating it in the obturating material, removal from the root canal, and surgical management as the last resort. This case demonstrates the removal of a separated lentulo spiral from the root canal, including the use of magnification, which facilitates the treatment.