Abstract: An endodontic instrument includes a cutting portion having upper and lower ends spaced apart along an axis, a cutting surface extending helically along the axis, and a non-contact surface extending helically along the axis. A cross section of the cutting portion in a plane perpendicular to the axis has a non-circular circumference. The cutting surface extends about a first portion of the non-circular circumference, and the non-contact surface forms a linear segment that extends about a second portion of the non-circular circumference. The cutting portion can further include a second cutting surface extending helically along the axis, and a second non-contact surface extending helically along the axis.

Abstract: Disclosed are biomimetic mineral based endodontic cement compositions. An endodontic cement comprises a paste A and a paste B. The paste A comprises a pozzolanic cementitious mineral paste and the paste B is a mixture comprising polyanionic polymers, phosphates, cement setting modulators, host-inclusion particles, bioactive glasses, and radiopacity agents suspended in a liquid carrier.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument includes a cutting portion having upper and lower ends spaced apart along an axis, a cutting surface extending helically along the axis, and a non-contact surface extending helically along the axis. A cross section of the cutting portion in a plane perpendicular to the axis has a non-circular circumference. The cutting surface extends about a first portion of the non-circular circumference, and the non-contact surface forms a linear segment that extends about a second portion of the non-circular circumference. The cutting portion can further include a second cutting surface extending helically along the axis, and a second non-contact surface extending helically along the axis.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods for the removal of zinc-oxide eugenol-based temporary cements or root canal filling materials from a variety of surfaces including surfaces inside the oral cavity, such as teeth, as well as surfaces of objects located outside of the oral cavity, such as instruments and prostheses. In certain compositions, the resin-dentin bond between permanent cements and collagen-containing surfaces can be increased. The compositions are non-toxic, can be used inside the oral cavity, and do not require special disposal procedures.

Abstract: Epoxy polymers for dental use including the reaction product of a diepoxide oligomer and a bridged dipolyamine are described. The epoxy polymers include the reaction product of diepoxide oligomers comprised of bisphenol A diepoxide oligomers and/or bisphenol F diepoxide oligomers and bridged dipolyamine monomers having two polyamine regions and a hydrocarbon region of at least 28 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A gutta percha point includes a shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The shaft defines a first region having a first taper, the first region extending from the first end of the shaft, and a second region having a second taper, the second region extending between the first tapered region and the second end of the shaft. The second taper of the second region is greater than the first taper of the first region. The shaft may include a third region extending between the second region and the second end of the shaft.

Abstract: Epoxy-based root canal dental compositions and root canal sealing dental filling systems including an epoxy-based root canal dental composition are described. The dental compositions include an epoxy polymer comprising a plurality of amide monomers, a plurality of diepoxide monomers and at least one fumed silica. In a preferred embodiment, the dental composition contains substantially no silicone or mineral oil.

Abstract: A method of accessing a pulp chamber of a tooth without puncturing the furcation of the tooth includes providing an endodontic instrument having an elongated shaft with an upper end and a lower end, a stop fixed to the shaft at a distance between 6-8 mm from the lower end, and a cutting head located along the shaft adjacent the lower end thereof, whereby the cutting head has a cutting surface. The method includes abutting the cutting head against a crown of the tooth, rotating the endodontic instrument while applying a force through the cutting head onto the crown of the tooth for cutting through the tooth to the pulp chamber and advancing the cutting head toward the pulp chamber until the stop contacts the crown of the tooth.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument for accessing a pulp chamber of a molar includes an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end and a stop fixed to the shaft at a distance between 6–8 mm from the lower end. The instrument also includes a cutting head located along the shaft adjacent the lower end. In certain embodiments, the cutting head has an annular cutting surface extending about a first circumferential portion of the cutting head and a flat non-cutting surface extending about a second circumferential portion of the cutting head. The lower end of the shaft may have a pointed tip.

Abstract: A non-circular endodontic instrument is provided for reduced stress to the tooth and to the cutting instrument during the removal of dentin from a root canal. The non-circular endodontic instrument includes at least one area of non-contact, i.e. one portion of the instrument does not contact and does not cut the dentin material. The non-contact area extends the length of the endodontic instrument, about a portion of the circumference of the instrument, and interrupts a generally circular cutting face of the instrument. This non-contact area reduces stress and provides a place for debris to gather during cutting so as to not interfere with the cutting face, and serves to direct the debris out of the root canal. The endodontic instrument can be D-shaped in cross-section, it could have circumferentially opposing non-contact areas and/or can be elliptical in cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A laser apparatus for removing hard and soft tissue from a narrow channel has at its cutting end a configuration that causes the laser light to emerge in an annular region and not apically.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting a dental post into a tooth root canal is provided. The method comprises the steps of cutting out a post hole in the tooth and inserting a threaded tap into the post hole for creating at least one groove along the hole. Significantly, the tap includes at least one slot defined by a pair of flexible legs and running at least a portion of the length thereof for reducing stress along the post hole during threaded insertion. Also provided is a lentulo drill comprising a spiraled wire with a reverse spiral configuration at the apical end thereof for confining cement placement in the post hole prior to insertion of the dental post.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting a dental post into a tooth root canal. The method comprises the steps of cutting out a post hole in the tooth and inserting a threaded tap into the post hole for creating at least one groove along the hole. Significantly, the tap includes at least one slot defined by a pair of flexible legs and running at least a portion of the length thereof for reducing stress along the post hole during threaded insertion. Also provided is a lentulo drill comprising a spiraled wire with a reverse spiral configuration at the apical end thereof for confining cement placement in the post hole prior to insertion of the dental post.

Abstract: A method and system for inserting a dental post into a tooth root canal. The method comprises the steps of cutting out a post hole in the tooth and inserting a threaded tap into the post hole for creating at least one groove along the hole. Significantly, the tap includes at least one slot defined by a pair of flexible legs and running at least a portion of the length thereof for reducing stress along the post hole during threaded insertion. Also provided is a lentulo drill comprising a spiraled wire with a reverse spiral configuration at the apical end thereof for confining cement placement in the post hole prior to insertion of the dental post.

Abstract: A dental or medical alginate impression composition is provided. The composition includes an alginate material comprising an alginate in an amount between about 10 and 50 weight percent, a filler material in an amount between about 10 and 90 weight percent, and a binder material in an amount between about 1 and 80 weight percent. The composition also includes a silane coating that is added to either the filler or to the alginate material as a whole.

Abstract: An overdenture attachment system for selectively attaching a denture element to a post in a tooth or a root canal is provided. The system includes a keeper element which is designed to be permanently affixed to the denture element and a cap element that is designed for attachment to the post of the tooth or root canal and which is coupled to or received by the keeper element. In the preferred embodiment, the keeper element is formed with a flange portion in which the insert element is selectively received. The interior of the flange portion of the keeper element is threaded and the exterior of the cap element is correspondingly threaded in order to enable threaded engagement of the cap element inside the keeper element.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing a cast post and core in a dental root canal procedure is provided. The method comprises the steps of removing the root canal material from the tooth; cutting out a post-hole in the tooth having a substantially uniform width; cutting out at least one annular tier along the hole; placing a burn-out post having at least one flange into the post-hole so that the flange is seated on the annular tier; applying an acrylic resin onto the tooth and over the burn-out post in order to form a core, and finally removing the core with the burn-out post from the tooth in order to form a casting.

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.