A case of broomstick in the root canal extending beyond the apex causing epistaxis

Abstract

There have been several reports describing the placement, by patients of foreign objects in to the exposed pulp chambers and canals. Foreign objects inserted in the canal have varied from radiolucent objects like wooden tooth picks or tooth brush bristles to radiopaque materials like paper pins, needles and pencil leads. In this present case a 13 year old boy reported at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Preventive Dentistry, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife with a 6 year history of trauma to the upper anterior teeth. There was bleeding from the nose, painful labial swelling, and discharging sinus around the maxillary right permanent central incisor for 4 days. A periapical radiograph did not show presence of a foreign object in root canal of the fractured discoloured right maxillary central incisor. The patient denied inserting any object in the canal. The tooth was extracted and a broomstick extending by 12mm beyond the apex of the tooth and bleeding from the nose was observed. A case of a unique foreign object in the pulp chamber projecting beyond the apical foramen and resulting in epistaxis is reported. The importance of early treatment of fractured teeth in children is stressed to prevent complications.

Keywords: Broomstick, root canal, epistaxis

Nigerian Dental Journal Vol. 15 (1) 2007: pp. 39-42