REMOVAL OF OVEREXTENDED GUTTA-PERCHA ROOT-CANAL FILLINGS IN ENDODONTIC FAILURE CASES

A procedure is proposed for the complete removal of an overextended ro ot canal filling when associated with a root canal treatment failure, First, the gutta-percha is softened with xylene and removed to a dista nce of 2 to 3 mm short of the apex, Second, the remaining gutta-percha , which is preserved as solid as possible, is removed by a Hedstrom fi le, The file is extended 0.5 to 1.0 mm beyond the apex, firmly engages the gutta-percha and is slowly removed, In 17 of the 18 cases, this p rocedure successfully removed the overextended gutta-percha.