Abstract: An intraosseous delivery apparatus having a perforating member that is made of a titanium alloy whose flexibility, wearability and cutting ability is greater than that of conventional hardened stainless steel.

Abstract: An intraosseous delivery apparatus having a drilling member and a sleeve member. The drilling member includes a drill housing, a connecting portion for establishing a connection to a conventional dental drilling apparatus, and a drill extending from the drill housing. The sleeve member includes a sleeve housing, and a hollow sleeve extending from the sleeve housing. The sleeve housing is adapted to be removably engaged with the drill housing such that the drill is inserted into the hollow sleeve. The drill has a length such that when the drill is inserted into the hollow sleeve, a portion of the drill extends beyond the hollow sleeve. As a result, when the drill is used to drill a hole in bone, the drill is inserted deeper into the hole than the hollow sleeve. The hollow sleeve is adapted to be left inserted in the bone when the drill is removed therefrom.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and shaping a root canal in a tooth in preparation for filling the root canal with a filler material, such as gutta percha, as a part of an endodontic procedure includes the step of inserting into the root canal a tapered file having a spiraled scraping edge formed thereon, the scraping edge having a neutral rake angle, the file having a taper of about 0.04% such that, as a sequence of files of the same characteristics but having different tip diameters are employed, the root canal is shaped and cleaned from the coronal area towards the tooth apex in contrast to the traditional endodontic procedure wherein root canals have been shaped and cleaned in the step back method beginning with the root canal apex and progressing towards the coronal area.

Abstract: An improved file for use in the endodontic preparation of a root canal, the file having a handle portion at one end and an active working portion tapering toward the distal end, the active portion having an external surface with at least one helical flute forming a helical scraping edge and, preferably, an axially adjacent land, the working portion having areas or zones of reduced surfaces that contact root canal surfaces during use. Preferably the zones are a plurality of axially spaced zones of reduced diameter so that the total length of file working portion in contact with canal wall surfaces during use is reduced. In manufacturing the improved file, a plurality of axially spaced zones of reduced diameter are formed on the working portion of a conventional file, including helical flutes and lands as desired, wherein the file of the invention includes an undulating external working portion profile.

Abstract: A dental handpiece (10) is provided with a drive motor (13), a drive shaft (12) operatively affixed to the drive motor (13) at one end of the drive shaft (12). A dental tool (11) is operatively affixed at the other end of the drive shaft (12). The drive shaft (12) is journaled within a axial displacement bearing (60), such that manipulated rotation of the dental tool (11) causes a first drive shaft section (61) to be axially displaced from and relative to a second drive shaft section (62). The axial displacement bearing (60) is caused to contact a bearing (51) thereby causing the drive shaft (12) to bind due to the frictional forces generated by that contact. This allows sufficient force such that the dental tool 11 can be disengaged from the handpiece (10).