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Background <p>The retrieval of fractured high-speed handpiece burs during mandibular third molar surgery, particularly those adjacent to the mandibular canal or complicated by infection, presents a significant clinical challenge. Conventional techniques often fail in such scenarios owing to anatomical constraints and limited resources in primary care settings. This case report highlights the innovative application of a modified mild steel probe technique for managing this rare but serious complication, demonstrating its adaptability across diverse clinical environments.</p> Case presentation <p>We present two cases with deeply embedded bur fragments. Patient 1 involved a 28-year-old female with a 2.8-mm fragment near the mandibular canal. Using a novel, real-time shapable (≤ 120°) unquenched mild steel probe and a “three-point” localization method under panoramic radiography, the fragment was successfully retrieved in 35&#xa0;min, with resolved neurosensory deficits at the 1-month follow-up. Patient 2 involved a 27-year-old female with a larger fragment (3.2&#xa0;mm × 1.5&#xa0;mm) complicated by infection and bone destruction. Under CBCT guidance, an upgraded probe was shaped into a 135° reverse hook and used with a “layered dissection” technique, achieving retrieval in 25&#xa0;min. The patient experienced significant symptom relief by day 3 and near-complete bone regeneration at 3 months.</p> Conclusions <p>This case report demonstrates that a malleable, non-quenched mild steel probe technique may offer a material-independent, angle-adaptive, and cost-effective alternative for retrieving deeply embedded bur fragments. Its core innovation lies in overcoming the inflexibility of conventional rigid instruments and the material limitations of magnetic systems, providing a practical solution particularly in resource-conscious settings or for non-ferromagnetic fragments.</p>

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A malleable mild steel probe for retrieving deeply embedded fractured burs in third molar surgery: a case report emphasizing material-independent and angle-adaptive retrieval

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月6日

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  • Wusimanjiang Aierken,
  • Reyila Aikelanmu,
  • Chuntao Leng,
  • Tao Guo

摘要

Background

The retrieval of fractured high-speed handpiece burs during mandibular third molar surgery, particularly those adjacent to the mandibular canal or complicated by infection, presents a significant clinical challenge. Conventional techniques often fail in such scenarios owing to anatomical constraints and limited resources in primary care settings. This case report highlights the innovative application of a modified mild steel probe technique for managing this rare but serious complication, demonstrating its adaptability across diverse clinical environments.

Case presentation

We present two cases with deeply embedded bur fragments. Patient 1 involved a 28-year-old female with a 2.8-mm fragment near the mandibular canal. Using a novel, real-time shapable (≤ 120°) unquenched mild steel probe and a “three-point” localization method under panoramic radiography, the fragment was successfully retrieved in 35 min, with resolved neurosensory deficits at the 1-month follow-up. Patient 2 involved a 27-year-old female with a larger fragment (3.2 mm × 1.5 mm) complicated by infection and bone destruction. Under CBCT guidance, an upgraded probe was shaped into a 135° reverse hook and used with a “layered dissection” technique, achieving retrieval in 25 min. The patient experienced significant symptom relief by day 3 and near-complete bone regeneration at 3 months.

Conclusions

This case report demonstrates that a malleable, non-quenched mild steel probe technique may offer a material-independent, angle-adaptive, and cost-effective alternative for retrieving deeply embedded bur fragments. Its core innovation lies in overcoming the inflexibility of conventional rigid instruments and the material limitations of magnetic systems, providing a practical solution particularly in resource-conscious settings or for non-ferromagnetic fragments.