Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an articulating endodontic file are provided. The apparatus may include two or more file segments. Each file segment may articulate with respect to an adjacent file segment. The articulating file may include a joint between two file segments. The articulating file may include a first joint that allows a file segment to articulate in a first direction. The articulating file may include a second joint that allows a second file segment to articulate in a second direction. The articulating file may be configured such that torque applied to a first file segment is transmitted to one or more other file segments in the file.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling asymmetrical coasting of an endodontic reciprocating motor includes a controller operatively connected to the endodontic motor. The controller may include a processing unit that is configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the forward direction for a coast time and configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the reverse direction for a coast time. The forward coast time is separately calculated from the reverse coast time. A method for asymmetrically coasting a reciprocating endodontic motor includes rotating an endodontic motor in a forward direction and calculating a forward coast time for the forward direction and coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction for the calculated forward coast time. After coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction, the endodontic motor is rotated in a reverse direction. The reverse coast time is different than the forward coast time.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling asymmetrical coasting of an endodontic reciprocating motor includes a controller operatively connected to the endodontic motor. The controller may include a processing unit that is configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the forward direction for a coast time and configured to direct the rotation of the endodontic motor in the reverse direction for a coast time. The forward coast time is separately calculated from the reverse coast time. A method for asymmetrically coasting a reciprocating endodontic motor includes rotating an endodontic motor in a forward direction and calculating a forward coast time for the forward direction and coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction for the calculated forward coast time. After coasting the endodontic motor in the forward direction, the endodontic motor is rotated in a reverse direction. The reverse coast time is different than the forward coast time.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes a housing having a motor with an output. A needle heating member including a chamber may receive a prefilled needle of dispensing material. A heater at least substantially surrounds the chamber for heating the material in the needle. A plunger is used to expel the material from the needle during activation of the motor. A reusable protective sheath is provided for disposition on the outside of the housing. A method of manufacturing a needle for use and dispensing a material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes drawing a blank of metal having a closed distal end, bending the blank at a desired angle, and removing a portion of the drawn metal from the distal end to open the distal end thereby forming the dispensing needle.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument includes an elongated shaft having a tip and a portion capable of being inserted into the root canal of a tooth. The shaft further includes a plurality of depth markers which are perceivable in a radiograph for indicating the depth of the tip within the root canal. The markers may comprise bumps having a diameter greater than the diameter of the elongated shaft by an amount sufficient to distinguish the markers from the shaft on the radiograph. Alternately, or additionally, the markers may have a radiopacity different from the radiopacity of the shaft by an amount sufficient to distinguish the markers from the shaft on the radiograph. The shaft may be selectively coated with paints, dyes, and/or inks having radiopaque properties. The markers may take the form of circumferential rings or other indicia such as numerals, letters and/or geometrical shapes.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes a housing having a motor with an output. A needle heating member including a chamber may receive a prefilled needle of dispensing material. A heater at least substantially surrounds the chamber for heating the material in the needle. A plunger is used to expel the material from the needle during activation of the motor. A reusable protective sheath is provided for disposition on the outside of the housing. A method of manufacturing a needle for use and dispensing a material during a dental or endodontic procedure includes drawing a blank of metal having a closed distal end, bending the blank at a desired angle, and removing a portion of the drawn metal from the distal end to open the distal end thereby forming the dispensing needle.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a dental instrument having a desired machined configuration, without twisting the instrument. A blank of superelastic material is brought to an annealed state comprising a phase structure including a rhombohedral phase alone or in combination with austenite and/or martensite, or a combination of martensite and austenite. In this annealed state, a portion of the annealed material is removed at low temperature, for example less than about 100° C., and advantageously at ambient temperature, to form a final machined configuration for the instrument. The instrument is then heat treated and rapidly quenched to a superelastic condition.