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Is HIV Transmission Possible Through Syringes Used During Root Canal Treatment?

Posted on Tue, 5 Jul 2016

Question: Hi ,

Doctor i am going through Root Canal Treatment , During a visit i was pinched by a syringe inside my teeth.
I dont know whether the syringe was new or what as it was prepared before .
Till now there is no such symptoms are there but i lost 2.7 kg weight recently.
Should i go for a test or not .
I asked the doctor and he said there is nothing like that u are thinking , but a window of doubt is created in my mind .

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry about HIV..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain,it seems that the needle was used to irrigate the tooth with solutions used during root canal treatment..
They do not generally cause HIV as they are clean of blood even if pre used also..
Secondly weight loss in your case is not appearing to be due to HIV as first of all HIV does not become symptomatic so soon after the exposure to virus [if at all an individual is exposed] and can take for years for symptoms to appear..
Secondly exposure to HIV by this method is very rare..

Do not worry as you are not at a risk of HIV and do not need to get tested..

I would however like to know that you were injected by the syringe to numb the tooth or was just washing the inside of the tooth?

Please revert back with the answer..

Wish you a good health..

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (8 hours later)

washing the teeth inside .
Sometimes it create a doubt in mind sir .
Also i have briefly raise the concern with the dentist and also asked him the same.
But it create such a phobia that now i doubt the files he used during root Canal .
Thanks for your suggestion .
Waiting for u r reply Sir .

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Everything is sterilized..

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

As per your query the files used during Root Canal Treatment are sterilized using a Glass Bead Sterilizer. All clinicians have to follow the standard sterilization protocols as formulated by the Medical/Dental council.

So if you are getting treatment by a registered dental practitioner, he must be definitely following sterilization protocols.

So do not worry as the chances of getting HIV infection are negligible and you will also get successfully treated for the dental problem also..

Any further questions are welcome..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Thanks Madam ,
For your valuable suggestion and time u offered me to answer my query .
The doctor himself is oral hygiene specialist .
Also registered one .
Mention his registration number on his clinic .

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome back..

You need not to worry and just proceed with the treatment..

Hope this helps..

Regards..

Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina