Detection of a residual foreign body during root canal treatment

A 25-yr old female with a 12-month history of orofacial trauma was referred to us with acute pain with positive percussion of the left mandibular first premolar and swelling in the left-posterior mandibular area. The diagnosis was pulpal necrosis with acute apical abscess. Both preoperative and length determination radiographs revealed a semi-opaque area on the root of the first premolar that was later identified as a residual fragment of windshield left in the soft tissues. Thorough medical record, clinical and radiographic examination may be helpful in the detection of foreign bodies in the orofacial region.