Patents Assigned to Dentatek Corporation
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Publication number: 20110189627Abstract: In various embodiments of a method for filling root canal spaces, the root canal spaces are cleaned and irrigated, for example, by any suitable endodontic procedure, and the irrigating liquid is not removed from the canal spaces prior to filling. In some embodiments, a hydrophobic filler material is introduced into the root canal spaces while they are filled with liquid. As the canal spaces are filled, the hydrophobic filler material displaces the liquid and drives it out of the canal spaces, towards the crown of the tooth, where it can be removed. The hydrophobic filler material may comprise magnetically responsive particles having a hydrophobic surface coating that are compacted into the root canal spaces by application of a magnetic force field. In other embodiments, hydrophilic filler material in a flowable phase is introduced into the canal spaces where it partly displaces and partly absorbs the irrigating liquid before solidifying.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicants: DENTATEK CORPORATION, SONENDO, INC.Inventors: Morteza Gharib, Erik Hars
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Publication number: 20110117517Abstract: Systems and methods for using a liquid jet apparatus for dental treatments are disclosed. In one implementation, the liquid jet apparatus may include a handpiece configured to deliver a high velocity liquid jet to a desired location in the mouth of a patient. The handpiece may include a positioning member having a channel through or along which the jet can propagate. The positioning member may have a distal end portion configured to be at least partially disposed in a pulp cavity, canal space, or opening in the tooth under treatment. During operation, the jet may impact an impingement surface of the distal end portion of the positioning member and be deflected as a spray through one or more openings in the distal end portion. The liquid jet apparatus may be used for root canal treatments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: DENTATEK CORPORATIONInventors: Bjarne Bergheim, Morteza Gharib, Mehrzad Khakpour, Michele Pham, Richard S. Tebbs
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Publication number: 20110111365Abstract: Apparatus and methods for root canal treatments are provided. In some embodiments, an aiming element may be used to position a high-velocity liquid jet near a desired location in the tooth. Embodiments of the aiming element may include an interrupter that deflects or impedes the liquid jet when it is not desirable for the jet to propagate from the aiming element. Embodiments of the aiming element may include an elongated member that permits passage of the liquid jet through a channel. The elongated member may include one or more openings, for example, on sides and/or ends of the member. Some root canal cleaning techniques include one or more applications of the liquid jet followed by application of a disinfectant such as, for example, an aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: DENTATEK CORPORATIONInventors: Morteza Gharib, Bjarne Bergehim, Adam E. Piotrowski, Michele Pham, Oleg Goushcha
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Patent number: 7833016Abstract: In various embodiments of a method for filling root canal spaces, the root canal spaces are cleaned and irrigated, for example, by any suitable endodontic procedure, and the irrigating liquid is not removed from the canal spaces prior to filling. In some embodiments, a hydrophobic filler material is introduced into the root canal spaces while they are filled with liquid. As the canal spaces are filled, the hydrophobic filler material displaces the liquid and drives it out of the canal spaces, towards the crown of the tooth, where it can be removed. The hydrophobic filler material may comprise magnetically responsive particles having a hydrophobic surface coating that are compacted into the root canal spaces by application of a magnetic force field. In other embodiments, hydrophilic filler material in a flowable phase is introduced into the canal spaces where it partly displaces and partly absorbs the irrigating liquid before solidifying.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Dentatek CorporationInventors: Morteza Gharib, Erik Hars
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Publication number: 20100143861Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring a tooth may include sensing acoustic energy propagating from regions (such as a root canal system) in and/or near a tooth. The apparatus and methods may be used with root canal cleaning treatments to determine the efficacy of the treatment and/or to reduce risk of post-treatment complications. An acoustic source (e.g., an acoustic transducer and/or a high-speed liquid jet) may be used to transmit energy into a tooth and/or regions near a tooth. An acoustic receiver may be used to detect acoustic signatures of acoustic events (e.g., acoustic echoes and/or acoustic cavitation) occurring in the tooth. The acoustic signatures may be used, for example, to determine the progress of a root canal cleaning treatment and/or the presence or movement of material toward a periapical region of the tooth. Apparatus and methods for monitoring a tooth may include detecting impact of a first jet on a tooth and actuating a second jet in response to detection of the impact.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: DENTATEK CORPORATIONInventors: Morteza Gharib, Joshua Adams, Bjarne Bergheim, Adam E. Piotrowski