Are there any other techniques for removing broken instruments when ultrasonics, alone, does not work?
A. When ultrasonic techniques fail, the fall-back option is to use the Instrument Removal System (Dentsply Tulsa Dental) which provides a breakthrough in the retrieval of broken instruments lodged within the root canal space. The instrument Removal System is composed of variously sized microtubes and screw wedges. The microtube has a small handle to enhance vision and its distal end is constructed with a 45 beveled end and side window. The microtube is inserted into the canal and, in the instances of canal curvature, the long part of its beveled end is oriented to the outer wall of the canal to “scoop-up” the head of the broken instrument and guide it into its lumen. The screw wedge is then placed through the open end of the microtube and passed down its internal lumen until it contacts the broken instrument. Rotating the screw wedge handle counterclockwise (CCW) tightens, wedges, and oftentimes, displaces the head of the file through the microtubes side window. With the broken instrum
