[Removal of fractured root canal instruments using the Canal Finder System]

Retrieval of fractured instruments from the root canal by means of the Canal-Finder-System was studied in 22 extracted teeth and in 26 clinical cases. In vitro the fragment could be removed in 6 cases and bypassed in 6 cases. In 10 cases the use of the automated device remained without success. In vivo 8 of 26 fragments were removed completely, 4 fragments were bypassed, and in 14 teeth the fragment could neither be removed nor bypassed. In 7 cases the root canal was perforated, in one tooth the fragment was pushed through the apical foramen. The Canal-Finder-System may be used as an auxilliary device for the retrieval of fractured instruments.