PubMed ID: 24699830
Author(s): Saghiri MA, Asatourian A, Haraji A, Ramezani GH, Garcia-Godoy F, Scarbecz M, Sheibani N. The influence of endodontic broken stainless steel instruments on the urinary levels of iron. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2014 Jun;158(3):330-3. doi: 10.1007/s12011-014-9959-x. Epub 2014 Apr 4. PMID 24699830
Journal: Biological Trace Element Research, Volume 158, Issue 3, Jun 2014
Previous studies on the endodontic broken stainless steel instruments have mainly focused on retrieval of specimens. However, the systemic consequences of the retained separated instruments need an investigation. The current study aimed to evaluate the correlation between broken stainless steel instruments inside the root canal space and the urinary level of iron (Fe) in patients. Sixty near-aged and same-gender patients were selected. Thirty patients in the control group had no endodontic treatment in their history, while the other 30 patients in the endodontic group had broken stainless steel instrument. The urine samples were collected in iron-free containers. All specimens were refrigerated for 1 day and then subjected to Fe level measurement by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Data were analyzed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov and t tests at P 0.05). There was a positive correlation between age and Fe levels of endodontic and control groups. However, the joint effects of age and sex on Fe levels were different for the two groups. The presence of broken stainless steel instruments inside the root canal space did not elevate the level of Fe in the urine of patients. However, this value was positively correlated with the patient age.