Abstract: Dental or endodontic instruments such as drills, files, rasps, broaches, reamers, and the like are arranged to allow radiation of electromagnetic energy into a man-made or natural cavity in the tooth under treatment. The energy may be in the form of microwave or radio-frequency (RF) radiation. The energy raises the temperature of the surrounding tooth material, which tends to disinfect the material as a direct consequence of the temperature. Also, if a disinfectant material is additionally introduced into the tooth cavity, the temperature of the disinfectant material itself may be raised, which enhances its activity. In the particular application to the removal of degenerated pulp, the instrument may be introduced, and electrical or electromagnetic power applied to coagulate the pulp about the instrument, allowing more complete removal of the pulp. The dental instrument may be used with an RF energy delivery system for application of particular amounts of energy per unit time (power).

Abstract: An improved method for filing and sealing tooth cavities involves the use of a cement composition which exhibits several advantages over existing orthograde and retrograde filling materials, including the ability to set in an aqueous environment. In a preferred embodiment, the cement composition comprises Portland cement, or variations in the composition of such cement, which exhibit favorable physical attributes sufficient to form an effective seal against reentrance of infectious organisms.

Abstract: In apicoectomies, which are carried out after reaming out a bone cavity, treatment of a root is very often necessary. The corresponding fillings must be dry, and thus material separation of the exposed bone surface from the resection area is necessary so that no blood can enter the root region to be filled and, on the other hand, solid particles and any reagents which are necessary (for example for root canal irrigations) are unable to contact the bone cavity. An appliance is provided to allow complete lining of the bone cavity and to separate the latter materially from the root region to be filled. The lining has two layers of different and complementary function. The lining is pushed into the bone cavity using a suitable tool and, at the same time, is shaped to the surface of the cavity.

Abstract: A prefilled disposable apparatus is provided for placing thermoplastic filling material including gutta percha in an endodontically prepared root canal. A hollow carrier has a distal end and a proximal end and has a cylindrical carrier bore defined therethrough. A plug of thermoplastic filling material is contained in the carrier bore. A displacing shaft is received in the proximal end of the carrier bore for displacing the thermoplastic filling material from the distal end of the carrier bore into the endodontically prepared root canal.

Abstract: An impression tray is provided with a dispersal member which receives impression material for delivery into the impression tray. A one-step method includes the provision of barriers on the impression tray to confine light bodied impression material in the tray during the delivery of the material into the tray and the taking of the impression. A two-step method entails the direct deposit of heavy bodied impression material into the impression tray and the taking of a preliminary impression. A jig for punching the preliminary impression confines the impression tray during the formation of passageways for later injected lighter impression material injected into the dispersal member and then to the impression tray. An air cylinder is controlled by an operator for selective discharge of impression material from tubular containers and into the dispersal member. A unitary impression tray is disclosed with a dispersion channel for directing impression material into place.

Abstract: The present invention has for its object an insert material used for widening the gingival sulcus, substantially without bleeding or oozing, particularly in order to make a cast for a dental prosthesis.According to the invention, this material takes the form of a biocompatible paste which is injectable for external use and preferably hydrophilic, whose viscosity is of between about 13000 and about 30000 Pascals.second.Application: dental surgery.

Abstract: A canal instrument intended to be mounted on the head of a vibrating handpiece and allowing the application in the dental canal of filling paste by applying successive layers in order either to produce a complete filling or to produce a thin layer on the walls of the canal with a view toward lubrication or blocking-out of the spaces which can be left free by condensed gutta-percha points, including a handle (1) of known type for its fastening to the vibrating handpiece and a blade (2) provided over a part of its length, starting from its distal end, with one or more helicoid grooves whose edges (3) are rounded in order to prevent any cutting effect, and therefore reaming the root canal.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved method and device used in applying gutta percha to a carrier which will later be used in filling and sealing an interior of a tooth after a root canal has been performed on the tooth. The method consists of inserting a gutta percha filled cannula into the barrel cavity of a syringe-type device, heating the cannula in order to increase the plasticity of the gutta percha, inserting a carrier into the cannula at the dispensing end of the syringe-type device and pushing a plunger of the syringe-type device downward in order to push the carrier, which is now coated with the gutta percha previously contained in the cannula, out of the dispensing end of the cannula. The gutta percha coated carrier is then ready for use in the root canal.An alternate embodiment of the syringe-type device employs a modified plunger to accommodate an alternate cannula which is provided with its own dispensing cannula plunger.

Abstract: There is provided a procedure to maintain an otherwise whole tooth, from which the nerve has been removed by carrying out a procedure which includes inserting a thin flexible post, preferably formed of a light-transmitting, physiologically inert material, to the full depth of a prepared relatively narrow tooth nerve canal, which has previously been sealed at its bottom with gutta percha. The post is permitted to abut against the gutta percha. The post is then surrounded by a film of a composite-filler or sealant, which is preferably light-curable, coating the post while supporting and sealing the walls of the canal. The post is sufficiently flexible as to be able to follow the curvature of the canal, which may retain a slight natural curvature. The composite filler or sealant is then cured, preferably by an optical radiation carried through the preferably transparent post. In one embodiment the light-curing post is removable after the sealant has been at least partially cured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for retaining a passive post and reinforcing endodontically treated teeth by coating a passive metal post with silicone and then with a resin coating, forming a post canal in a cavity, irrigating the post canal with a solution of Ethylene Diamine Tetracetic Acid, irrigating the post canal with Sodium Hypochloride, evacuating the post canal with a high vacuum suction tip, mixing and adding a cement comprising Bis-GMA and TEGDMA to the post canal, distributing the cement with a Lentulo spiral, inserting the silicoated metal post into the post canal, and holding the metal post under pressure until the cement sets. The invention also relates to vacuum apparatus for evacuating a post channel and dentinal tubules of moisture and to create an empty intertubular zone. The vacuum apparatus includes a vacuum suction tip having an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the post channel and a high vacuum source connected to the vacuum tip.

Abstract: A dental laser assembly is disclosed for use in eradicating carious lesions in teeth, the treatment of sensitive teeth, as well as the removal of soft tissue, the incising of the frenum, opurculum, anestesia of the tooth, etching enamel for restorations or orthodontic appliance fixation, the welding of fixed prosthesis, removal of bacterial flora periodontal pockets, removal and/or vaporization of healthy or necrotic pulp, the vertical and/or horizontal condensation of gutta percha or any other root canal sealant, the cauterization of blood vessels in the oral cavity, vaporizing bone tissue, removing tartar, apical fusion of foramina, enlarging and shaping root canal, removing carbon from surface of teeth, removal of enamel, bleaching teeth, etching dentin, separating orthodontic brackets, merging hydroxyapatite to bone and enamel, amalgam removal and undercutting of carious and/or healthy dentin and/or cementum. The laser assembly includes a housing having a cavity in which a pulsed laser in contained.

Abstract: In a dental prosthetic casting-on process, in which a secondary part made of metal is cast-on to a primary part made of metal, a primary part made from an oxide-forming metal alloy may be used if the latter's casting-on surface is alloyed, prior to casting-on, with a reducing metalloid. In this regard, boron, silicon or phosphorus, for example, can be made to diffuse into the surface lattice of the primary part. A primary part made from an oxide-forming dental alloy and suitable for such a casting-on process exhibits in its casting-on surface an enhanced boron or silicon or phosphorus content.

Abstract: An endodontic procedure is disclosed which involves extirpating a root canal of a tooth, and then inserting a machine driven compactor which is coated with alpha phase gutta percha into the extirpated canal. The compactor is then rotated at a relatively high speed and so that the alpha phase gutta percha is plasticized solely by the frictional heat generated by the rotating compactor. The plasticized gutta percha is thrown radially outwardly, and pushed downwardly, so as to fill all of the voids of the canal, and the compactor is then withdrawn and the gutta percha cools and solidifies. A crown may be then fitted to the tooth above the gutta percha in the conventional manner.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a filling nozzle having a conical part so that it can fit in a leaktight manner on to a burred aperture in a tooth to be filled. The nozzle has a suction tube and a first annular channel connected to the suction tube and coming out into the dental cavity in order to create a vacuum therein. A second central channel serves to bring a filling paste from a reservoir to the dental cavity. The cross-section of flow of the first channel is several times smaller than that of the second channel, so that the paste travels much more slowly in the first channel than in the second, under the effect of the partial vacuum in the dental cavity.

Abstract: A dental root canal diagnostic and treating equipment with which specific position/s, which serve/s as the reference positions, can be set arbitrarily and such positions can be displayed. With the equipment, therefore, operation can be proceeded with knowledge of not only the position of the tip of the root canal instrument, which also serves as the measuring electrode, but also the remaining distance to the reference position.

Abstract: Material having improved characteristics for filling endodontically prepared root canals is obtained by heat treating gutta percha based material at a temperature in the range of 210.degree. F. to 310.degree. F. for a period of two to twenty-four hours, the time being decreased as the temperature is increased.

Abstract: A prefilled disposable apparatus is provided for placing thermoplastic filling material including gutta percha in an endodontically prepared root canal. A hollow carrier has a distal end and a proximal end and has a cylindrical carrier bore defined therethrough. A plug of thermoplastic filling material is contained in the carrier bore. A displacing shaft is received in the proximal end of the carrier bore for displacing the thermoplastic filling material from the distal end of the carrier bore into the endodontically prepared root canal.

Abstract: A canal in a tooth is reinforced by forming a lining within the canal. The canal is reamed to a desired size and depth. A light transmitting mandrel is next inserted into the canal and seated in the reamed-out area. A light curable composite is placed around the mandrel. Alternatively, the mandrel is withdrawn, the canal is filled with a light curable composite, and the mandrel is reinserted through the composite into the canal. Thereafter, light is shined on the mandrel to cure the composite. When cured, the mandrel is withdrawn to expose a precise canal in the composite lining.

Abstract: A method of obturating an extirpated root canal and an associated filler material utilizes two classes of gutta-percha, one class of which becomes plasticized at a predetermined temperature and the other class of which becomes plasticized at a temperature which is less than the predetermined temperature. In one embodiment of the method, the second class of gutta-percha is coated about the first class when in a plasticized condition, and in another embodiment of the method, the second class is pre-coated about the first class and the second class is heated to plasticized condition without plasticizing the first class. In either case, the first class of gutta-percha supports the plasticized second class when subsequently introduced into a root canal for filling the canal. To increase the rigidity of the first class of gutta-percha, the first class may be coated with a cured layer of methyl methacrylate before the second class of gutta-percha is coated about the first class.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing dental posts by inserting and rotating an extraction drill. It is particularly useful for hollow dental posts having left-handed helical grooves on the post's external surface.

Abstract: A composition for endodontically treating a root canal is provided. The composition uses a thermoset resin based material adapted for insertion into the root canal of a dental patient and an adhesive material suitable for maintaining the polymer based material in the root canal. Either one or both of the thermoset resin based material and the adhesive material is conductive. As a result, the dental practitioner is able to determine where the apex of the root canal is located by means of measuring the conductance between the thermoset resin based material and the oral mucosa and periodontal ligament. This facilitates the filling of the root canal with the polymer based material.

Abstract: A composition for endodontically treating a root canal is provided. The composition uses a thermoset resin based material adapted for insertion into the root canal of a dental patient and an adhesive material suitable for maintaining the polymer based material in the root canal. Either one or both of the thermoset resin based material and the adhesive material is conductive. As a result, the dental practitioner is able to determine where the apex of the root canal is located by means of measuring the conductance between the thermoset resin based material and the oral mucosa and periodontal ligament. This facilitates the filling of the root canal with the polymer based material.

Abstract: A dental laser assembly is disclosed for use in eradicating carious lesions in teeth, the treatment of sensitive teeth, as well as the removal of soft tissue, the incising of the frenum, opurculum, anesthesia of the tooth, etching enamel for restorations or orthodontic appliance fixation, the welding of fixed prosthesis, removal of bacterial flora periodontal pockets, removal and/or vaporization of healthy or necrotic pulp, the vertical and/or horizontal condensation of gutta percha or any other root canal sealant, the cauterization of blood vessels in the oral cavity, vaporizing bone tissue, removing tartar, apical fusion of foramina, enlarging and shaping root canal, removing carbon from surface of teeth, removal of enamel, bleaching teeth, etching dentin, separating orthodontic brackets, merging hydroxyapatite to bone and enamel, amalgam removal and undercutting of carious and/or healthy dentin and/or cementum. The laser assembly includes a housing having a cavity in which a pulsed laser is contained.

Abstract: An appliance (20) for use in conjunction with the obturation of prepared root canals employing a rigid carrier member (23) coated with a thermoplastic material (29) comprises an instrument (40) having a barrel (41), a movable plunger (43), and an orifice (48), and a quantity of the thermoplastic material (29) within the barrel. The orifice has a diameter greater than the distal end (30) of the rigid member, the member being insertable through the orifice and into the thermoplastic material whereby upon extrusion of a quantity of the thermoplastic material from the barrel, the rigid member is provided carrying a coating of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A dental irrigating and aspirating instrument utilizes a cannula with a reduced diameter extended member shaped to occlude the apical foramen while conducting irrigating fluid into the apical terminations of root canal preparations. The extended member also serves to occlude the apical foramen while conducting fluid and debris out of the apical regions during aspiration. The extended member can be shaped with a cutting surface to prepare a base for the root canal preparation and root canal filling. Use and fabrication of the instrument for irrigation and aspiration of the fullest depths of the gingival sulci and periodontal pockets in periodontic practice is also described. A handpiece is described that retains the instrument allowing manipulation of the instrument and control of fluids to and from the instrument.

Abstract: Laser radiation having a selected wavelength and in the form of pulses having a selected pulse duration, repetition rate and energy content per pulse, is employed for performing a variety of dental and medical procedures, including treatment of cysts and granulomas in the gum, and cutting of dentin, cementum, dental root material, bone and metal. Cavities and openings in teeth and bones can be filled with a mixture containing hydroxyapatite and phosphoric acid, mixed together to form a paste, and the resulting mixture, after being introduced into the openign or cavity, can be cured and hardened by application of pulses of defocussed laser radiation.

Abstract: A dental laser assembly is disclosed for use in eradicating carious lesions in teeth, the treatment of sensitive teeth, as well as the removal of soft tissue, the incising of the frenum, opurculum, anesthesia of the tooth, etching enamel for restorations or orthodontic appliance fixation, the welding of fixed prosthesis, removal of bacterial flora periodontal pockets, removal and/or vaporization of healthy or necrotic pulp, the vertical and/or horizontal condensation of gutta percha or any other root canal sealant, the cauterization of blood vessels in the oral cavity, vaporizing bone tissue, removing tartar, apical fusion of foramina, enlarging and shaping root canal, removing carbon from surface of teeth, removal of enamel, bleaching teeth, etching dentin, separating orthodontic brackets, merging hydroxyapatite to bone and enamel, amalgam removal and undercutting of carious and/or healthy dentin and/or cementum. The laser assembly includes a housing having a cavity in which a pulsed laser is contained.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and/or shaping passages, comprising providing an optical fiber having a diameter sufficiently small to be introduced into the passage and having a free end provided with a radiation focussing element; introducing the free end of the fiber into the passage so that the focal point defined by the radiation focussing element is located adjacent the region to be cleaned or shaped; providing a liquid in the passage at the location of the focal point of the radiation focussing element; and supplying pulses of laser radiation to the fiber so that the radiation exits the fiber via the free end to provoke a cavitation of vapor at the interior of the irrigating liquid.

Abstract: A syringe useful for washing root canals wherein the syringe is configured and arranged with a two-position valve which, in a first position, supplies the syringe with hydrogen perioxide and, in the second position, supplies the syringe with sodium peroxide. In a selected embodiment, the valve has a single outlet port and first and second inlet ports connected to a hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxide supply, respectively. The outlet port is connected to the inlet ports by a rotatable obturator having first and second slanted grooves having first and second ducts, respectively, at opposite ends thereof. In a first rotatable position of the obturator, the first groove is aligned with the first inlet port, and the first duct is aligned with the outlet port. In a second rotatable position of the obturator, the second groove is aligned with the second inlet port, and the second duct is aligned with the outlet port.

Abstract: A device for filling and sealing root canals of teeth is disclosed. The device comprises an adaptable liner having a coating of a root canal sealer or bonding material on its external surface which seals the root canal when the liner is expanded or inflated.

Abstract: A method for treating and reducing post-restoration dental pain comprising the application of an agent, the essential ingredient of which is potassium nitrate, to the affected tooth and the cemento-enamel junction thereof.

Abstract: The cutting of tooth or bone tissue with laser radiation is enhanced by giving the radiation a polarization P parallel to the surface of the tissue being cut. For enlarging a tooth canal, laser radiation is delivered via an optical fiber which is introduced into the canal and is tapered in the region of its distal end. To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall.

Abstract: A method is provided for filling an endodontically prepared root canal in a tooth including the steps of injecting flowable filler material, such as gutta percha, preferably after the filler material has been heated, into the root canal to at least substantially fill the root canal, inserting an obturator shaft into the root canal to displace the flowable filler material to more completely fill the root canal, and severing the obturator shaft into two portions, retaining the shaft portion therein within the root canal and removing the severed portion from the tooth. The root canal having been filled, the tooth can then be repaired in the normal procedure for completion of an endodontic procedure.

Abstract: An endodontic post has at least two graduated stages of decreasing diameter with generally cylindrical outer surfaces. The graduations allow the post to diminish in size as it passes into a prepared post space which can be complementarily graduated. The staged post may also include a single groove having a pitch angle in a range of from about 35.degree. to about 55.degree. disposed in the cylindrical outer surfaces thereof.A graduated endodontic drill has at least two cutting stages of decreasing diameter for cutting through tooth material to make a prepared post space.

Abstract: Canal instrument used in endodontics, characterized in that its flexible blade is made at least partially of titanium or of titanium alloy.

Abstract: An improved obturator body for use in filling an endodontically prepared root canal formed of an elongated slender body of plastic material having a proximal end and a distal end, the body having a short length handle portion at the proximal end and a shaft portion extending from the handle portion to the distal end, the shaft portion being dimensioned to be received in an endodontically prepared root and having a texture surface adapted to receive filler material thereon and a plurality of integral spaced apart length indicators formed on the exterior surface of the shaft portion for indicating the length of the shaft to the distal end. In one preferred arrangement, the body shaft portion has canal filler material, such as gutta-percha, formed thereon.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and/or shaping passages, comprising providing an optical fiber having a diameter sufficiently small to be introduced into the passage and having a free end provided with a radiation focussing element; introducing the free end of the fiber into the passage so that the focal point defined by the radiation focussing element is located adjacent the region to be cleaned or shaped; providing a liquid in the passage at the location of the focal point of the radiation focussing element; and supplying pulses of laser radiation to the fiber so that the radiation exits the fiber via the free end to provoke a cavitation of vapor at the interior of the irrigating liquid.

Abstract: A dental detection apparatus for the position of a root apex comprises two oscillators for generating the currents having two different frequencies passing between a single electrode contacting to a patient's body and a reamer, a differential amplifier for detecting the difference .DELTA.

Abstract: A method for inspecting the root canal comprising using a room temperature-setting, rubbery and elastic impression material, typically a silicon impression material and 20.0 to 75.0% by weight of a radiopaque substance contained therein, which shows a solubility of 0.2 grams and less per 100 ml of water of 20.degree. C. and is in the form of finely divided powders having a mean particle size of 5.times.10.sup.-3 .about.10 micrometers.

Abstract: A root canal sealer and cleaner provided with a dimension discriminating part at their heads so as to discriminate the dimension easily, and a method and device for forming the dimension discriminating part on the root canal sealer and cleaner.According to the root canal sealer and cleaner of the invention, a coloring part having a hue for indicating the required dimension is formed directly at the head gripped by an operating tool such as pincers, etc., at the time of the root canal cleaning and sealing treatment of a tooth, so that it is possible to indicate the dimension by each root canal sealer and cleaner itself, to discriminate easily and exactly the dimension of each root canal sealer and cleaner, and to distinguish it from those of different standards even when it is mixed with them in the course of operation.

Abstract: A dental post 5 has a lower portion 4 that is fitted within a pre-prepared dental root canal 2, 3 and an upper portion 6 to which a dental crown 8 can be fitted. The root canal is provided with a plurality of projections 26 that extend downwardly and inwardly and the post, which is preferably tapered, and the lower portion of the post has a plurality of notches 16 that are preferably independent grooves that face upwardly. The post can then be secured substantially without screwing, by means of cement in the annulus 7 between the post and the canal. Preferably the lower portion of the post is tapered and has grooves or other notches that open upwardly and outwardly and the upper portion has grooves that open downwardly. The pitch of the grooves 16 in the lower portion is generally not more than 0.5 mm.

Abstract: An endodontic reamer or file instrument for cleaning and shaping root canals includes a shank having a tapered working portion extending along a section of the shank length to a leading end. A pilot is attached to the working portion adjacent the leading end and is smaller in diameter than is the working portion at the leading end. The working portion includes at least one continuous helical flute which spirals along its length and a helical land at the periphery of the working portion which extends between adjacent flutes. The working portion also includes at least one lip adjacent the pilot which has a cutting edge which lies generally in a radial plane of the shank, and each flute which spirals along the length of the working portion toward the leading end terminates at the cutting edge of a corresponding lip so that as the instrument is moved longitudinally through a root canal, root canal tissue disposed to one side of the pilot is exposed to the cutting edge of the working portion.

Abstract: An appliance for use in filling an endodontically prepared root canal being in the form of an elongated shaft having a distal end portion of diameter dimensioned to be received in a root canal and with a spiral thread thereon and having, at the opposite end, a shank portion, filler material formed on the shaft distal end portion, the shaft shank portion being receivable in the chuck of a dental tool having means to rotate the shaft, the shaft distal end portion having the filler material thereon being insertable in a root canal and adapted to be rotated by a dental tool to auger the filler material off of the shaft distal end portion and into the root canal, the shaft being removed from the root canal as the filler material is augured into the canal.

Abstract: A drilling tool for dental retro-filling preparation comprises an ultrasonic transducer head and one or more elongate drill members for selectively securing to the transducer head. The or each drill member comprises an elongate shaft having a suitable securing mechanism at one end for coupling to the transducer head and a hooked portion at the opposite end comprising the drilling tip which projects at an angle to the remainder of the shaft. The hooked end portion of the shaft is inserted through an appropriate opening in the jawbone until it is located adjacent the tooth root and aligned with the axis of the root, and the transducer head is switched on to cause ultrasonic vibrations in the tip which cut a bore in the tooth root.

Abstract: To fill a canal, an optical fiber having a low melting point is introduced into the canal and radiation is conducted through the fiber to melt the fiber and form the filling. The fiber may be coated with a material which will be melted by the radiation and will bond to the canal wall. Fillings and coatings are formed on tooth or bone tissue by projecting toward a surface of the tissue two starting components which when combined and exposed to light of a selected wavelength undergo a photochemical reaction to form a calcium containing product, and causing light of the selected wavelength to impinge on the components at least partially before they reach the surface in order to create the reaction and cause the resulting calcium containing product to bond to the tissue.

Abstract: Adhesion promoters containing (meth)acryloyloxyethyl dihydrogen phosphate and/or di(meth)acryloyloxyethyl hydrogen phosphate and acidic (meth)acryloyloxyethyl esters of carboxylic acids can improve the adhesion of photopolymerizable tooth materials to the enamel and dentine. The very strong bonding to the dentine immediately after curing proves to be particularly advantageous.

Abstract: A plastic article having heavy metal particles uniformly dispersed throughout the plastic article to produce a plastic article that is visible on an x-ray image of the plactic with one embodiment of the plastic article forming a solid tooth implant covered with a flowable gutta-percha filler material for insertion into the root canal of a tooth wherein a photoshadowgraph of a tooth containing the solid tooth implant and a solidified gutta-percha covering appears as a single image with the preferred mixture for the solid implant composition consists of about 50% by weight of a polymer plastic pellets and the balance about 50% by weigh of heavy metal particles selected from the group consisting of tungsten and tantalum particles.

Abstract: Method of installing a post in a tooth having a metal obturator therein including the steps of drilling a borehole in the tooth with a tubular burr having a tubular opening therein of internal diameter at least slightly greater than the diameter of the obturator to thereby provide a borehole of selected internal diameter having the metal obturator remaining essentially therein, the obturator serving to assist in the guiding of the burr and inserting a tubular post into the borehole, the post receiving the metal obturator therein, the post extending partially above the top of the tooth for attachment of a crown or the like.

Abstract: A method of obturating an extirpated root canal utilizes two types of filler material, one type of which is in the form of a gutta-percha point and the other type of which is a thermoplasticized gutta-percha having a melting temperature of about 15.degree. to 20.degree. C. less than the melting temperature of the gutta-percha point. The steps of the method include the introducing of an initial amount of thermoplasticized gutta-percha in a heated and softened condition into the root canal so that the initial amount fills the bottom of the canal. A gutta-percha point is then positioned within the root canal and another amount of thermoplasticized gutta-percha is introduced in a heated and softened condition into the canal. The thermoplasticized gutta-percha is then manipulated into contact with the portion of the gutta-percha point positioned within the root canal so that the gutta-percha point is fed into and compacted within the root canal with the thermoplasticized gutta-percha.

Abstract: A devitalized tooth having an outer surface at which opens a longitudinally extending and empty pulp cavity into which open transverse tubules is rebuilt by a prosthesis comprising a peg engaged with spacing in the cavity and having an outer end projecting from the cavity past the outer surface of the tooth, a prosthesis body adhered to the outer end of the peg, and a generally conical flexible and porous sheath formed of high-strength filaments surrounding the peg in the cavity. A solid mass formed of a durable resin that has a very low surface tension when liquid fills the cavity around the peg and the tubules. The sheath is wholly imbedded in the cavity in the mass.