Filling paste extruded from primary root canal remains for extended period: Two case reports

We examined 2 patients with filling material extruded from root canals of their primary teeth that remained for a long time. In Case 1, 3 separate small radiopaque masses were initially identified below the mandibular right second primary molar at the age of 7 years 6 months old and the patient was followed for approximately 7 years. The permanent successor was congenitally absent and the radiodensity of the masses decreased as the patient matured, though they were still apparent 7 years later. In Case 2, a large radiopaque mass was detected in the crown region of the permanent central incisor of a patient aged 5 years 2 months old, which had come from the root canal of the corresponding primary tooth that had been filled with iodoform calcium hydroxide paste. The radiopaque filling material in the root canal and the large mass seen superimposed on the crown of the permanent successor had apparently become separated. The mass became smaller and nearly disappeared 1 year 6 months later. In both cases, the root canal filling materials were speculated to have been extruded from the root apex. Differences in features of the radiopaque masses are discussed in this report.