Question

The tip of a spreader is broken in the apical third of a root during lateral condensation. Treatment of choice is to

A. remove the gutta-percha using solvents and remove the broken tip using broaches.
B. remove the gutta-percha and, if the broken tip cannot be removed, leave the tooth open to the oral cavity to corrode away the tip.
C. complete obturation and surgically remove the apical segment of the root that contains the tip.
D. complete obturation, surgically remove the apex and place a retrograde filling.
E. complete obturation, do no further treatment and observe.

Answer 1

The treatment of choice for a broken spreader tip in the apical third of a root is to complete the obturation and perform an apicoectomy with a retrograde filling to resolve the issue.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the tip of a dental spreader breaks in the apical third of a root during lateral condensation, the preferred treatment is to complete obturation, surgically remove the apex and place a retrograde filling. This procedure helps to maintain the integrity of the remaining tooth structure while addressing the foreign body embedded in the dental tissues. Removing the entire gutta-percha to attempt extraction of the broken tip can compromise the successfully obturated canals, and leaving the tooth open to corrosive processes is not a recommended practice.

The surgical approach, known as apicoectomy, involves removing the tip of the root that contains the fragment, followed by the placement of a retrograde filling to seal the end of the root canal, thus preserving the tooth's function and preventing further infection. Complete obturation should be performed before the surgical procedure to ensure the canals are properly sealed.