The Good Old Masserann Technique for the Retrieval of a Separated Instrument: An Endodontic Challenge

Instrument separation is one of the most upsetting endodontic errors, and it can occur at any time during root canal surgery. A broken file causes a metallic restriction in the root canal and makes it difficult to clean and shape the instrument effectively, thereby making the prognosis questionable. Hence, such a fragment should be properly retrieved when it becomes difficult to bypass it. A variety of techniques and tools are utilized for instrument recovery; however, most of them are expensive, difficult to master, and technique-sensitive. One such tool for orthograde removal of intracanal metallic obstacles is the Masserann kit. We discuss a case involving file removal from the maxillary premolar by using the Masserann technique.