(TC30) Utilizing Large Bore Stainless Steel Needles for the Removal of Metal Carriers or Silver Points During Endodontic Retreatment

Endodontic retreatments often present complex challenges, particularly when removing metal carriers and silver points. This table clinic aims to demonstrate the use of modified large bore stainless-steel (SS) needles for the effective and minimally invasive removal of these fracture-prone obstructions. The use of these needles ensures precision, secure handling, and complete removal of the metal carriers or silver points.

After exposing the coronal portion of the metal carrier or silver point by removing build-up material with burs, ultrasonics, and the gutta-percha with a heating unit, a large bore SS needle of appropriate length and gauge is selected. The selected needle should be able to fit the coronal portion of the carrier or silver point while leaving just enough room to wedge a Hedstrom file alongside it. This Hedstrom file should be wedged between the carrier / silver point and the lumen of the needle. Once the Hedstrom file has engaged the carrier/ silver point, both the Hedstrom file and the SS needle are removed together thereby allowing the easy removal of the carrier or silver point.

Clinical and in-vitro cases will be presented to highlight the success of this technique in endodontic retreatments, emphasizing its potential to increase efficiency and successful outcomes for practitioners. Our approach provides a cost-effective and reliable way to remove these often tedious and hard-to-handle obstructions.