Abstract: Dental obturators are used in the preparation of root canals in teeth. The subject obturators are so constructed that they bind at a particular distance into the canal, thereby precluding possible damage at the end of the canal. A variety of structural configurations is disclosed.

Abstract: A tapered endodontic rotary file for shaping or cleaning a root canal in a tooth has one or more flutes spiraling along the length of the file. The diameters of the one or more flutes tapers in a non-uniform manner from a first diameter in a shank portion of the file to a smaller diameter in a tip portion of the file such that at least one flute region intermediate the shank portion and the tip portion has a diameter less than a straight line taper from the shank portion to the tip portion. The flutes can also be landed and the width of the lands can be varied along the length of the file. In particular, the width of the lands in the intermediate region are wider than the width in the tip or shank portion.

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: A series of multi-tapered parabolic implements is disclosed for endodontic use. The instruments comprise different sections: a pilot tip, a first portion adjacent the pilot tip and a second portion adjacent the shank. The two portions have different tapers. The tapers of the two different portions blend into each other along a parabola-shaped surface. The pilot tip is radiussed for ease of entry into a root canal with increased safety.

Abstract: A series of multi-tapered files is disclosed for endodontic use. The files comprise at least two sections, a first portion adjacent the tip of the file and a second portion adjacent the shank. The two portions have different tapers. The files are provided in sets of at least four with the tapers of the first portions of all of the files decreasing incrementally from the first to the last file of the set. In some of the sets, the tapers of the second portions are the same from file to file, being fixed at one of two selected tapers. In other sets, the tapers of the second portions increase from file to file as the tapers of the first portions decrease.