Broken file in root canal?

brook2jack2

Do you remember having a root treatment? 

Was the original emergency appointment at the same practice ? How did they know a root treatment was done 6 years ago? 

It may be just the initial stages were done as an emergency treatment , it may be just a filling was done, it may be a root treatment was attempted. 

If the records are on computer and were 6 years ago then it is an easy job for the dentist to look them up. 

If the records were on paper from 6 years then it may take a lot more digging to get them out as if the practice is now computerised they may be in storage or, if sufficient time has passed, they may have been destroyed. 

The dentist treating you will not have time to go trawling through looking for years of records whilst they are trying to do your treatment . If the treatment was done then there will be records of it. If it is important to you then you can ask for a copy of your notes. 

Toothsmith

These are the questions you need to be asking the practice - not the internet.

Something has happened there at the practice for them not to have the full notes, or records of when it was treated and by who.

There is no 'national database' to which these details will be uploaded in order to cross reference, the records will only be kept at the practice where treatment was carried out. There are time limits on how long a dentist has to hold notes for a patient not still being seen at the practice, but i think for adult patients that's 11 years from last visit.

welshdent

I am an endodontist. I regular treat teeth with broken files. 

The file itself wont cause any issues. If the endodontist was unable to clean the canal sufficiently beyond it then it may reduce the prognosis however if only a small piece broke at the end of the root canal then there is little left to clean anyway. It sounds like they were happy with the progress they made. 
Breaking files is a recognised complication and has probably happened to all dentists ... well maybe not those in public health
They have to do a lot of work in very tight spaces. Sometimes with the best will in the world files still break. Whats important is how well cleaned the root canals are. 

welshdent

The lack of root filling being present isnt something we can comment on without seeing it. Perhaps it was only intended to be temporary and was never finished? they may have used a paste filler that broke down. It does however make it easier to re treat!!
I have had many blockages in root canals that may be broken instruments but generally they would show up on the X ray. Again hard to say why it is there. However it may be that the original dentist also came across the blockage and intended to temporise and go back in again later with a fresh pair of eyes. 
It may not be a broken file. Without complete records it is very hard to piece together previous treatments really. Perhaps ask to be referred to an endodontist if your own dentist is struggling?