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26 I I case report _ fractured instrument The canal was shaped to an apical size of 30. Smear layer removal was performed with a rinse of 10%citricacid.Afinalwashofthecanalwascarried outwithsterilesaline.Thecanalwasthendriedwith paper points (Roeko). A 04 tapered gutta-percha cone was fitted into the canal. Topseal (DENTSPLY Maillefer) was used as a root-canal sealer. After radiographical confirma- tion (Fig. 5), additional gutta-percha cones, ISO size 20, were placed into the canal, according to the cold lateral condensation technique. Next, the gutta-perchawasremovedtoabout5mmfromthe apex with the System B Elements Obturation Unit (SybronEndo). Owing to the curvature, it was not possibletogoanydeeper.Hence,Idecidedtocreate a hybrid technique with cold lateral condensation. Finally, the backfill was done with the Elements Obturation Unit. After obturation (Fig. 6), a tempo- rary restoration in glass-ionomer cement (Fuji IX FAST A1, GC) was placed. Final radiographs were taken, both parallel and angled (Figs. 7 & 8). The prognosis of this case was excellent and the patient was referred to his general dentist for a definitive coronal restoration. _Conclusion Sometimes removal of a fractured instrument is impossible or undesirable. In these cases, bypassing the instrument is a valid alternative, which can lead to a favourable outcome as presented in this case._ Editorial note: A complete list of references is available fromthepublisher. roots1_2011 DrRafaëlMichiels graduatedfromtheDepart- mentofDentistryatGhent University,Belgium,in2006. In2009,hecompletedthe three-yearpostgraduate programmeinEndodontics attheUniversityofGhent. Heworksintwoprivate practiceslimitedtoEndodonticsinBelgium.Hecan becontactedatrafael.michiels@gmail.comandvia hiswebsitewww.ontzenuwen.be. _about the author rootsFig. 5_Gutta-percha cone-fitting. Fig. 6_The pulp chamber after obturation with gutta-percha. Fig. 7_Final radiograph (parallel). Fig. 8_Final radiograph (angled). Fig. 5 Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 6