Endodontic mishaps: etiology, prevention, and management.

Root canal therapy consists of a cascade of scientifically-based technical procedures. Lack of knowledge, its poor application, or a compromise or a break in the chain of proper procedures can lead to a number of accidents which are collectively called 'endodontic mishaps'. These accidents can occur during diagnosis, access preparation, cleaning and shaping, obturation and post-space preparation. Those who perform root canal therapy must have a basic knowledge of etiologic factors and methods of prevention as well as recognition, management and prognosis. This knowledge reduces the rate of endodontic failures and increases our chances of saving more teeth.