Abstract: A device for irrigating a canal during a root canal treatment or retreatment provides a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with at least one pump for delivering an irrigant under pressure. A hand-held wand has a proximal end for receiving the irrigant under pressure, permitted to flow through the wand head by an actuator. An irrigant delivery needle which affixed to the working end of the wand delivers irrigant through at least one irrigant dispersion orifice at a selected delivery angle and pressure. Aspirating means and/or shielding may optionally be provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a curable sealer for use in sealing a canal wall in a root canal treatment or retreatment procedure, including an adhesive compound having a cytotoxicity sufficiently low as to be suitable for use in the root canal procedure; and a flowability of at least 46 mm at 23° Celsius. Provided herein are uses of the sealer for sealing a canal wall. Also provided is a curable sealer for use in sealing a canal wall in a root canal treatment or retreatment procedure, including an adhesive compound having: a cytotoxicity sufficiently low as to be suitable for use in the root canal procedure; and a flowability at 23° Celsius about equal to the flowability of water. Provided herein are uses of the sealer for sealing a canal wall.

Abstract: A reciprocating endodontic hand tool in which the torque applied to an instrument such as a debriding file can be set at or below an endurance limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur. In preferred embodiments the tool can switch between settings in which the torque applied to the instrument is between the endurance limit of the file and an elastic limit of the file, by setting forward and reverse angles of rotation within specified limits. This reduces or eliminates opportunites for plastic distortion, fatigue and breakage of the file during the canal debriding/cleaning/shaping process in a root canal treatment or retreatment. In some embodiments the torque may be set to at or below a durability limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur through repetitive strain over the course of a particular root canal treatment or retreatment.

Abstract: A reciprocating endodontic hand tool in which the torque applied to an instrument such as a debriding file can be set at or below an endurance limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur. In preferred embodiments the tool can switch between settings in which the torque applied to the instrument is between the endurance limit of the file and an elastic limit of the file, by setting forward and reverse angles of rotation within specified limits. This reduces or eliminates opportunities for plastic distortion, fatigue and breakage of the file during the canal debriding/cleaning/shaping process in a root canal treatment or retreatment. In some embodiments the torque may be set to at or below a durability limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur through repetitive strain over the course of a particular root canal treatment or retreatment.

Abstract: A device for irrigating a canal during a root canal treatment or retreatment provides a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with at least one pump for delivering an irrigant under pressure. A hand-held wand has a proximal end for receiving the irrigant under pressure, permitted to flow through the wand head by an actuator. An irrigant delivery needle which affixed to the working end of the wand delivers irrigant through at least one irrigant dispersion orifice at a selected delivery angle and pressure. Aspirating means and/or shielding may optionally be provided.

Abstract: A reciprocating endodontic hand tool in which the torque applied to an instrument such as a debriding file can be set at or below an endurance limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur. In preferred embodiments the tool can switch between settings in which the torque applied to the instrument is between the endurance limit of the file and an elastic limit of the file, by setting forward and reverse angles of rotation within specified limits. This reduces or eliminates opportunities for plastic distortion, fatigue and breakage of the file during the canal debriding/cleaning/shaping process in a root canal treatment or retreatment. In some embodiments the torque may be set to at or below a durability limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur through repetitive strain over the course of a particular root canal treatment or retreatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for the preparation of a compound of Formula 2 or a salt thereof, wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C3 alkyl, and C(0)R3; R3 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, C6-C10aryl and C7-C20 arylalkyl; the carbon atom marked with “*” is racemic, enantiomerically enriched in the (R)-configuration, or enantiomerically enriched in the (S)-configuration. Also provided are intermediate compounds of the processes.

Abstract: A hand-held tool for moving an endodontic instrument is provided, for preparing a root canal for filling. The tool comprises a chuck for holding the instrument, a rotational driver mechanism for rotating the chuck alternately in forward and reverse directions, and an axial driver mechanism for reciprocating the chuck axially.

Abstract: A reciprocating endodontic hand tool in which the torque applied to an instrument such as a debriding file can be set at or below an endurance limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur. In preferred embodiments the tool can switch between settings in which the torque applied to the instrument is between the endurance limit of the file and an elastic limit of the file, by setting forward and reverse angles of rotation within specified limits. This reduces or eliminates opportunities for plastic distortion, fatigue and breakage of the file during the canal debriding/cleaning/shaping process in a root canal treatment or retreatment. In some embodiments the torque may be set to at or below a durability limit of the file below which failure of the instrument will not occur through repetitive strain over the course of a particular root canal treatment or retreatment.

Abstract: A cleaning instrument for an endodontic procedure such as a root canal provides a distal portion for agitating an irrigant, comprising in some embodiments agitating structures that stir the irrigant to assist in removing the smear layer and dislodging loosely adhered organic debris. The structures may also be designed to assist in evacuating irrigant from the canal. Some embodiments provide orifices through which an irrigating fluid can traverse the distal portion of the instrument and enter the canal to wash away loosened debris and sterilize the canal.

Abstract: A reciprocating endodontic hand tool in which the torque applied to an instrument such as a debriding file does not exceed the elastic limit of the file. This reduces or eliminates opportunities for plastic distortion, fatigue and breakage of the file during the canal debriding/cleaning/shaping process. The rotational limits of the instrument may be set at levels that will not subject the instrument to a torque exceeding its elastic limit.