Tissue Damage after Inadvertent Citric Acid Extrusion during Root Canal Treatment: Report of a Case

A female patient was seen for an emergency visit after accidental citric acid (40%) injection into soft tissues during root canal irrigation. The patient was experiencing pain, swelling in the right mandible, paraesthesia of the right lower lip and regional necrosis of the buccal mucosa. She was reassured and given analgesics and antibiotics. Follow-up visits were scheduled to monitor the case. When symptoms of swelling and pain resolved, completion of endodontic treatment was decided. A perforating defect was considered responsible for the citric acid extrusion. 6 months after the accident, complete rebound of sensation was noted without any symptoms from the affected area.