Errors and complications
“He who does nothing is never wrong,” a phrase familiar to us in life is also relevant in dental practice. It is important to understand and objectively perceive the fact that not every complication that may arise during treatment is the result of a medical error.
For example, after root canal treatment in a tooth that has been a source of chronic infection for a long time, a complication such as a periodontal abscess may occur. In simple words, the infection that has been in a “dormant” state for a long time in the area of the tooth root and has been subjected to instrumental and antiseptic treatment by the doctor during the course of treatment, makes itself felt in the form of an exacerbation. But this reaction is normal and can be easily eliminated by taking anti-inflammatory drugs within 3-5 days after treatment.
There might be another scenario during endodontic treatment. If, after the performed manipulations, the patient develops acute pains in the area of the treated tooth, an increase in edema of adjacent tissues, cyanosis of the skin in the area of edema on the face may appear, this may indicate the removal of sodium hypochlorite from the apex of the tooth. This situation can be considered the result of a violation of the root canal washing technique during endodontic treatment and requires immediate intervention. On the other hand, in case of chronic infections in the area of the tooth root, the apical opening of the root is destroyed, a clear “stop” is lost, and the risk of the solution being expelled from the apex is significantly increased.
For the same reasons, it is possible to remove the root filling material by the apex, which can be clearly seen on the radiograph. This situation is normal if the amount of material removed is small. And it is an indicator of the reliable “sealing” of the root canal from infection.
Abundant removal of filling material into the maxillary sinus or the mandibular canal is considered not the norm, which can lead to a number of complications and is considered a medical error.
