Quality Resource Guide: Managing Complications During Root Canal Procedures

Quality Resource Guide: Managing Complications During Root Canal Procedures is organized by MetLife. 

Originally published: January 2011
Updated and revised: October 2015 and November 2018
Expiration date:  November 2021

Accreditation:
MetLife designates this activity for 1.0 continuing education credits for the review of this Quality Resource Guide and successful completion of the post test.

Conference description:
One factor in deciding whether to undertake a procedure is an awareness of the potential complications and the ability to manage them should they occur. This advice is applicable to all aspects of clinical dental practice, especially endodontic therapy. This Guide discusses the causes and prevention of complications and then outlines the management of complications should they occur. The third edition of this Guide expands the discussions of obtaining adequate anesthesia in the tooth with symptomatic pulpitis and appropriate use of antibiotics during endodontic therapy. The Guide’s tables provide a quick reference to treatment options. Attached to this Guide are the American Association of Endodontists’ Case Difficulty Assessment Form and Guidelines and a form for obtaining informed consent for non-surgical endodontic therapy.

Educational Objectives:
Following this unit of instruction, the learner should be able to
• Discuss difficulties in achieving profound anesthesia for root canal procedures.
• Identify the major complications encountered during root canal treatment procedures and state
methods for their prevention and management.
• Discuss the levels of case difficulty and relate them to case assessment criteria.
• Identify the causes of instrument separation and describe methods that can be used to prevent separation.
• Discuss the importance of establishing a pathway (glidepath) in the root canal system prior to the application of shaping and cleaning instruments.
• Discuss the implications and potential concerns associated with multiple uses of endodontic
intracanal instruments.
• Describe the circumstances that impact on the prognosis of a case when an instrument may separate and discuss the management of such.f endodontic intracanal instruments.
• Discuss the prognosis of cases in which the roots or crowns have been perforated and detail the important treatment considerations.
• Discuss the causes of material extrusion beyond the root apex and describe the management of this complication.
• Detail strategies for the management of pain and/or swelling that may occur subsequent to root canal
treatment.
• Detail and discuss protocols and strategies for the judicious and effective use of antibiotics during
root canal procedures.