Abstract: A blank for use in producing an endodontic instrument using a grinding technique includes a cylindrical portion, and a generally conical portion which is to be machined by the grinding technique to form the active part of the endodontic instrument. The generally conical portion of the blank approximates, and is slightly larger than the envelope of the final shape given to the active part of the endodontic instrument after machining. A method is also provided for producing an endodontic instrument having at least one helical cutting edge using the blank.

Abstract: A blank for use in producing an endodontic instrument using a grinding technique includes a cylindrical portion, and a generally conical portion which is to be machined by the grinding technique to form the active part of the endodontic instrument. The generally conical portion of the blank approximates, and is slightly larger than the envelope of the final shape given to the active part of the endodontic instrument after machining. A method is also provided for producing an endodontic instrument having at least one helical cutting edge using the blank.

Abstract: A sequence of canal instruments for performing an endodontic operating protocol uses a sequence of several instruments, for example, three such instruments with three cutting blades. The instruments have a progressive conicity, for example, 6%, 4% and 2%, and each instrument has an identical progressive pitch. The pitch further increases progressively from instrument to instrument as a function of the conicity of each instrument.

Abstract: An instrument for reaming a root canal, in particular, in the apical zone, includes proximal portions for receiving a handle which allows the instrument to be used by hand or on the head of a dentist's contra-angle handpiece, and distal portions having a blade with a pointed tip of a known type. The active, cutting part of the blade has, from the pointed tip and continuing along the blade, two conical sections. In addition to the pointed tip, each of the conical sections has a greater conicity than the least distal part adjacent to it. The instrument is useful for reaming root canals using a sequence of instruments which avoid root weakening and the flow of filling material from the end of the canal.

Abstract: An apparatus for removably fixing a tool to the head of a handpiece including a neck having the head at one end of the neck and a handle at an opposing end of the neck, and interior portions receiving a drive shaft for rotating the tool. The apparatus includes a bore formed in the head of the handpiece, for receiving the tool in the bore of the head, and a toothless friction drive coupled with an end of the drive shaft adjacent to the bore of the head. The friction drive engages shank portions of the tool while received in the bore of the head. The tool is retained in the bore by frictional contact between the shank of the tool and the friction drive coupled with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A canal preparation device includes a contra-angle having a head which is provided with a support for receiving an instrument for treating a canal. The instrument is provided with a shank, and the shank of the canal instrument includes a rotational drive. The base of the head of the contra-angle is provided with a snap-fastening connection which cooperates with the shank of the instrument so that, simply by pushing, the rotational-drive of the shank is engaged in the head, and the shank and the head are snap-fastened together.

Abstract: An endodontic contra-angle is provided with a head which supports an endodontic instrument having a shank and a blade. A connection associated with the head attaches the shank within the head of the contra-angle. The shank is permanently assembled within the body of the head, and is free to rotate within the head.

Abstract: Alternative methods are described for machining a root-canal instrument, such as a root-canal reamer, which includes a working section having three flutes forming three cutting lips which are located at the apices of an isosceles triangle.

Abstract: A device for removably fixing a tooth tool (4) to a head (3) of a handpiece (1), said handpiece (1) being formed by a handle (5), a neck (2) and a head (3), each of these parts being provided in its inside with a drive shaft (6), characterized in that said tool (4) is disposed in a bore (7) formed in the head (3) of the handpiece (1), and in that it is held inside said bore (7) by the contact with the drive shaft (6).

Abstract: A blank for use in producing an endodontic instrument using a grinding technique includes a cylindrical portion, and a generally conical portion which is to be machined by the grinding technique to form the active part of the endodontic instrument. The generally conical portion of the blank approximates, and is slightly larger than the envelope of the final shape given to the active part of the endodontic instrument after machining. A method is also provided for producing an endodontic instrument having at least one helical cutting edge using the blank.

Abstract: A canal preparation device comprising a support (1), a treatment instrument (2) equipped with a shank (3), with a contra-angle (4) provided with a head (5), characterized in that the shank (3) of the canal instrument (2) is furnished with a rotational-drive means (6) and in that the head (5) of the contra-angle is provided at its base with a snap-fastening means collaborating with the shank (3) of the rotational-drive means (6) in such a way that, simply by pushing, with the shank (3) of the rotational-drive means (6) engaged in the head, the shank (3) and the head (5) are snap-fastened.

Abstract: Endodontal contra-angle (1) equipped with a head (2) supporting an endodontal instrument (3), and with attachment means (5) for attaching a shank (4) penetrating the head (2) of the contra-angle (1), characterized in that said head (2) of the contra-angle is equipped with a member that is free to rotate (6), assembled fixedly to the body of said head (2).

Abstract: A method for applying a filling material in paste form to a root-canal instrument, for introduction into the canal of a tooth using the instrument, uses a filling material which is contained in a cartridge in a dose which roughly corresponds to the amount needed for treating and filling a single canal. The instrument can then be plunged, rotating or stationary, into one of the cartridges to pick up just the amount of filling material needed for the procedure. A device for making the filling material available for use operates to receive the cartridge, to heat the dose of filling material and to maintain the filling material at its desired temperature, and a cartridge is provided for use with the device and to perform the method.

Abstract: Alternative methods are described for machining a root-canal instrument, such as a root-canal reamer, which includes a working section having three flutes forming three cutting lips which are located at the apices of an isosceles triangle.

Abstract: An instrument for reaming a root canal, in particular in the apical zone housing at its proximal part a handle for manual use or on the head of a dentist's contra-angle handpiece, the distal part of said blade being a pointed tip of known type. The invention is characterised in that the active cutting part of the blade has, from the pointed tip and continuously, two conical sections such that, besides the pointed tip, each conical section has a greater taper ratio than the least distal part adjacent thereto. The invention is useful for reaming root canals with sequences of instruments avoiding root weakening and filling material flow at the canal end.

Abstract: Sequence of canal instruments for performing an endodontic operating protocol, of the type comprising several, for example three, instruments used in sequence, said instruments being of the type with three cutting blades, the instruments being of progressive conicity, for example 6%, 4% and 2%, and each having an identical progressive pitch, characterized in that the pitch increases progressively as a function of the conicity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental reamer (2) which tapers right down to its tip (1), of the type including helical slits which, on their sides, have cutting lips for boring out dental canals, in which the characteristics of the cutting conditions are defined by, on the one hand, a cutting angle .alpha. determined by the tangent to the cutting edge at the cutting point and the perpendicular to the surface to be cut at this point and, on the other hand, a clearance angle .beta. determined by the plane of the cutting surface and the tangent to the inactive face of the cutting edge, characterized in that the value of the cutting angle .alpha. is greater than or equal to zero and that of the clearance angle .beta. is greater than zero.

Abstract: A motor and handpiece assembly for driving a dental tool has a contra-angle and a motor. The contra-angle has a handle, a neck connected to the handle, and a head connected to the neck and adapted to hold the dental tool. The motor is adapted to drive the dental tool in different types of movement (e.g., continuous movement and alternating or vibratory movement). The invention provides a dental handpiece that can be used for different types of treatments using different types of dental tools that require different types of movement and different speeds.

Abstract: The sleeve has a cylindrical metal tube with a plastic core. The metal tube has one or more grooves on the inner surface of the tube that run along at least a portion of the length of the tube. The plastic core fills the annular space between the metal tube and the rod of a rotary dental instrument, such that plastic material (1) fills the grooves to anchor the plastic core to the metal sleeve and (2) is molded to rigidly link the rod to the sleeve. The present invention reduces the exposure of plastic material in the sleeve, thereby reducing plastic swelling that can occur when the dental instrument is repeatedly cleaned using disinfectants.

Abstract: A dental reamer having one or more cutting sections and one or more spiral grooves. The dental reamer has at least one cutting edge having a cutting point, characterized in that a tangent to the cutting point tends to superimpose itself on a tangent to a diameter of a circle in which the cutting sections are inscribed, wherein the diameter passes through the cutting point. The invention provides a reaming cut that, in a surprising manner, reduces or even eliminates the spiral displacement (i.e., uncontrolled advancement of the reamer) that results from rotation of the prior-art reamers, while still maintaining an excellent reaming efficacy.