Root canal obstruction removal system

A tool for removing an obstruction from a root canal of a tooth after the obstruction has been at least partially exposed;

• the tool including:
• a hollow tube defining a lumen and having a bottom end, a top end and a cutout spaced from the bottom end;
• the hollow tube having an outer diameter sized to be received in the root canal, an internal diameter sized to admit the obstruction into the lumen, and a wall width at the bottom thereof sized to allow the bottom end of the hollow tube to pass over the top of the obstruction, such that at least the top of the obstruction is received in the lumen of the tube;
• a plunger sized to be slidably received in the hollow tube from the top end of the tube;
• the plunger having a length sufficient to extend at least to the cutout in the hollow tube, the plunger having a bottom end and a top end;
• the bottom end of said plunger being beveled to urge a top end of the obstruction into the cutout;
• the plunger and tube cooperating to grasp the obstruction;
• and
• a guide which properly orients the bottom of the plunger in the hollow tube, such that said beveled end of said plunger faces said cutout of said hollow tube.

A method for removing an obstruction from a root canal during an endodontic or retreatment procedure;

• the method including:
• widening the root canal around a coronal end of the obstruction;
• inserting a hollow tube into the root canal, the tube having a hollow end;
• said tube having an inner diameter at said hollow end sized to admit said obstruction to be received within said hollow end of said tube and an inner diameter;
• said tube being inserted into said root canal until at least a portion of said obstruction is received within said tube;
• passing a plunger through said hollow tube to engage said obstruction;
• said plunger and hollow tube cooperating to mechanically grasp said obstruction;
• said plunger being passed through said hollow tube until said obstruction is mechanically grasped by said plunger and hollow tube;
• and
• removing the hollow tube and plunger from the root canal with the obstruction grasped thereby.