Removal of overextended gutta-percha root canal fillings in endodontic failure cases

A procedure is proposed for the complete removal of an overextended root canal filling when associated with a root canal treatment failure. First, the gutta-percha is softened with xylene and removed to a distance of 2 to 3 mm short of the apex. Second, the remaining gutta-percha, which is preserved as solid as possible, is removed by a Hedstrom file. The file is extended 0.5 to 1.0 mm beyond the apex, firmly engages the gutta-percha and is slowly removed. In 17 of the 18 cases, this procedure successfully removed the overextended gutta-percha.