A case of stapler pin in the root canal--extending beyond the apex

There have been several reports describing the placement, by patients, of foreign objects into exposed pulp chambers and canals. In the present case, a 13-year-old patient reported with complaints of pain and a history of inserting a foreign object into the root canal of the left central incisor. On examination the foreign body was found to be a stapler pin which was projecting 5 millimeters from the apical foramen. Foreign bodies discovered from the root canal have varied from radiolucent objects like wooden tooth picks or tooth brush bristles to radioopaque materials like paper pins, needles, pencil leads etc. In the present case, despite our best efforts, the patient did not agree to undergo any treatment except for the extraction of the left central incisor.