A recipe for disaster: no pre-op x-ray and wrong access cavity

Fig. 1

This patient was referred to me by a colleague who tried to do the root canal treatment on the two maxillary lateral incisors.

He took a panoramic x-ray and started doing the access cavity. When he realized he could not find the root canal, he stopped the procedure and sent me the patient.

I took two periapical x-rays in order to assess the anatomy of the tooth and the extent of the damage. 

Fig. 2

I also took a CBCT in order to assess that there were no perforations or stripping and to locate the position of the root canals. 

The slices on the right show the position of the wrong access performed by the colleague.

Fig. 3

The first slice shows the presence of calcified tissue in both teeth above the root canal. The second slice shows the position of the canals, in the centre of the root as expected. 

Fig. 4

The tooth 2.2 presented an access done with an excessively buccal orientation of the bur, but luckily the colleague stopped before doing a perforation. 

Fig. 5

In anterior teeth straight-line access is achieved through a cavity, made on incisal edge or even labial surface of the tooth. Location of access cavity in anterior teeth determines the amount of preserved dentin in the cingulum area, which is important for the ferrule effect.

Fig. 6

It is always important to keep in mind the orientation of the buccal surface of the tooth, in order to correctly position the bur we are using for the access cavity. 

Fig. 7

I performed a multiple isolation, then placed a clamp on the tooth 2.2.

This is the appearance of the access cavity performed by the referring dentist.

Fig. 8

As the arrow shows, the path taken by the bur was too buccal

Fig. 9

Keeping in mind the anatomy of the tooth and looking at the CBCT, I corrected the access with burs and US tips.

Fig. 10

Then I started scouting the root canal with a 10.04 rotary Ni-Ti file. 

The file easily penetrated the first millimeters of the root canal. At this point, I scouted the root canal whit a 0.8 SS file, always attached to the apex locator. I proceeded with watch winding movements and used a chelator in order to make the file proceeding easier. 

I took an intra-operative x-ray to verify the correct position of the file into the root canal. 

Fig. 11

Once I was able to scout the root canal to the apex with a .10 SS file, I used Ni-Ti heat treated rotary files in order to shape the root canal. 

Then, I cleaned it thoroughly with sodium Hypochlorite carried by a polypropylene cannula that I was able to bring to the working length. 

The irrigant was activated with an ultrasonic file after each cycle. 

Fig. 12

The picture shows the tooth after cleaning and shaping

Fig. 13

I filled the tooth with warm gutta-percha using the carrier-based technique, then I restored it with composite. 

Fig. 14

In the following appointment I took care of the right lateral incisor. 

Fig. 15

I isolated the tooth which, in this case, showed an access cavity that was too lateral and too buccal. 

By looking at the CBCT I moved more mesially and I was able to locate the root canal opening. I used a bur followed by US tips. 

Fig. 16

I used the same approach as before and I was able to reach the WL with a .10 file. 

Fig. 17

This is the tooth after cleaning and shaping. 

Fig. 18

Pre and post-op x-ray.

The tooth was filled with warm gutta percha, then restored with composite.

Fig. 19

The patient was sent back to the referring dentist to go on with their treatment plan, which involved placing crowns on the six front teeth and implants on the missing teeth.

Fig. 20

Occlusal view.