Surgical approach to a severe case of sodium hypochlorite accident: a case report and review of the literature

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the most common irrigant used in modern endodontics due to the antimicrobial properties against bacteria, the powerful oxidative activity, and the ability to dissolve organic soft tissues. When NaOCl extrudes the apex of the root, commonly referred as "sodium hypochlorite accident," it can lead to devastating outcomes leading to long-term functional and esthetic deficits. Currently, no clear guidelines exist as to how these patients should be managed. The purpose of this paper is to present a case report and a review of literature and to propose an adequate surgical treatment protocol for this unfortunate event. (Quintessence Int 2021;52:806-810; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b1492001)