what happens when a drill bit is left in a persons tooth on a partial root canal?

Question

My dentist attempted to give me a root canal was successful on drilling out two of three roots but drill bit broke off in third root and still remains. Still have tenderness at sit of said tooth and other complications now exist is this normal? and if not what can happen as far as having that bit still in body. can it result in infection etc.?

Answer 1

I worked for a dentist that left the drill bits in on purpose. He'd clip them off and use them as a filling. The tunnel that is cleaned out has to be filled in with either gutta percha (a rubbery substance) or a metal rod. The drill bit serves the same purpose. As long as the drill bit is not extending past the end of the tooth, there is nothing at all to worry about.

Answer 2

This happened to my mom. She had a root canal done and a part of drill bit was left in her tooth. They did not tell her that it broke off and she had to have the root canal redone because it got infected. The endodontist that redid the root canal said that the drill bit did not cause any problems nor was it the cause of the infection. The crown just did not seal right so it got reinfected. She said not to worry about it and should not cause a problem. She is going back in 3 months so they can check and make sure that it is not causing any problems. I would give it a bit of time. You didn't say how long it's been so I don't know, but I would wait a couple months and if it is still bothering you go back and tell them. Or as my mom did, go to someone else and get a second opinion.

Answer 3

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RE:
what happens when a drill bit is left in a persons tooth on a partial root canal?
My dentist attempted to give me a root canal was successful on drilling out two of three roots but drill bit broke off in third root and still remains. Still have tenderness at sit of said tooth and other complications now exist is this normal? and if not what can happen as far as having that bit...

Answer 4

Drill bits break off in the canals all the time. Most of the time they are just left and nothing needs to be done. But if it is still hurting that is probably because the 3rd canal still needs to be cleaned out. He probably wating to see how the tooth reacted. Just give him a call back and let him know it is still hurting. He will most likely bring you back and try to rem ( clean out ) the canals again. Who knows you might have a 4th canal he didt find. 3 is the normal but every now and then there can be 4. Go back he'll fix it. If your not comfortable there call another one.

Answer 5

This kind of thing happens from time to time when a root canal is done; this is why I have every patient sign a release form before we do the root canals. I'll tell you what I tell every person we're getting ready to do a root canal on, "This instruments are man-made and are being used by a human being, so something could break, but if this happens, we'll let you know what's going on and go from there." So, instead of this root being filled with a rubber like material, it is filled with titanium steel. No biggie, but if you are still having discomfort with this tooth, call the dentist and let them know.

Answer 6

Whew! Some of these answers have gotten us dental folks in an uproar! Breaking a drill does not mean a dentist is incompetent. Due to the curvature of some roots, this can happen to any dentist, good or bad. It does not mean he did anything wrong.
If you read a rootcanal consent form in detail, you will see that most list breakage of files or drill bits as a risk.

Most of the time this does not cause a problem in the future.

There is no reason to "hire a lawyer and sue". That is rediculous. He didn't do anything that hasn't happened to hundereds of other dentists.

Answer 7

Calm down. folks. First of all the "drill bit" was probably less than half a millimeter in diameter and probably 2-3 mm in length. It is surgical grade stainless steel. If it broke because it lodged at the end of the tooth, then you simply have a stainless steel root canal filling. If it is a few mm short of the end of the root, it is better if it is either removed or "bypassed" so that the end of the root can be well-sealed.

Malpractice stems from not adhering to the standard of care. Root canal instruments break and that's a fact of life. True, they don't break often, but it is not a sign of incompetence to have one break. Please do not start seeing dollar signs here.

And before you all go, "Yeah, yeah, listen to him...," let me add that in 30 years, I doubt I've broken 10 instruments in people's teeth. Oddly enough, one of my assistants (who worked for several years with an endodontist) asked me this question today, so I already sort of counted them up with her. Yes, I can practically remember every person by name who is walking around with the tip of one of my root canal files in their teeth.

We do not like it when it happens, but it is usually of minimal to zero consequence.

[ADDITIONAL INFO]

I am sorry that I am unable to respond in e-mail, but after reading your description there, I think you need to have your situation evaluated and re-visited by an endodontist.

Answer 8

law suit!

I recant!!! I am so thankful for all the educated answers from qualified people here. I was not aware of the circumstances that could cause such a thing to happen and did not realize it was a fairly common thing. Just the thought of root canal sends me running so the thought of the drill breaking really freaked me out! I apologize.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

As long as it's smaller than the tip of a ballpoint pen. But I would get a second opinion..it could lead to a nasty bacterial infection.