Abstract: A holder for a delivery device for delivering filler material into a prepared root canal comprises a body, a mounting portion adapted to removably receive the delivery device; and a heating circuit having a heating device wherein said heating device is positioned to be in thermal communication with said delivery device when the delivery device is mounted to the holder. The holder thus enables heating of the filling material in situ in the prepared root canal at the time of insertion of the filling material in to the canal and while the filler material is being packed into the prepared canal.

Abstract: A root canal filling system is provided that allows for better control of position, temperature delivery, and/or compaction forces of filling material when sealing root canals. The system includes a removable filler material delivery device and a holder. The delivery device has the capacity to provide information related to the position of the filler material, allows for a thorough and precise heating of the filler material in vivo, and allows for 3-dimensional packing forces to be applied to the filler material simultaneously as conditions are monitored. The system can additionally include a base unit and/or a plugger. The system (1) analyzes the position of the filler material in the canal prior to heating and packing the filler material, (2) heats the filler material such that the filler material is of a substantially uniform temperature, and (3) allows for packing of the filler material simultaneously as the delivery device is removed.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering filling material into the canal during a root canal procedure includes a shaft having a bed portion at a distal end thereof, and a biocompatible filler material mounted to the bed portion. The filler material includes an upper surface, a side surface, and a distal end. The delivery device bed portion has a greater thermal conductivity than the filler material; and the bed portion of the shaft wraps at least partially around the filler material and contacts the filler material substantially along the length of the filler material from the upper end of the filler material to at, or proximate, the distal end of the filler material. This delivery device allows for better control of temperature delivery and position of the filling material and allows for a more thorough and precise heating of the filler material in vivo.

Abstract: An endodontic plugger comprises a plugging surface which contacts filler material that has been inserted into a prepared root canal. The plugging surface comprises a plurality of moveable plates which move independently of each other. The movable plates enable the plugger surface to automatically and substantially instantaneously adjust in size and/or shape in response to the cross-sectional size and/or shape of a root canal as the plugger surface passes along the root canal.

Abstract: A holder for a delivery device for delivering filler material into a prepared root canal comprises a body, a mounting portion adapted to removably receive the delivery device; and a heating circuit having a heating device wherein said heating device is positioned to be in thermal communication with said delivery device when the delivery device is mounted to the holder. The holder thus enables heating of the filling material in situ in the prepared root canal at the time of insertion of the filling material in to the canal and while the filler material is being packed into the prepared canal.

Abstract: An endodontic plugger comprises a plugging surface which contacts filler material that has been inserted into a prepared root canal. The plugging surface comprises a plurality of moveable plates which move independently of each other. The movable plates enable the plugger surface to automatically and substantially instantaneously adjust in size and/or shape in response to the cross-sectional size and/or shape of a root canal as the plugger surface passes along the root canal.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering filling material into the canal during a root canal procedure comprises a shaft having a bed portion at a distal end thereof, and a biocompatible filler material mounted to the bed portion. The filler material comprises an upper surface, a side surface, and a distal end. The delivery device bed portion has a greater thermal conductivity than the filler material; and the bed portion of the shaft wraps at least partially around the filler material and contacts the filler material substantially along the length of the filler material from the upper end of the filler material to at, or proximate, the distal end of the filler material. This delivery device allows for better control of temperature delivery and position of the filling material and allows for a more thorough and precise heating of the filler material in vivo.

Abstract: A root canal filling system is provided that allows for better control of temperature delivery, position and/or compaction forces of filling material when sealing root canals. The system comprises a holder and a removable filler material delivery device. The delivery device allows for a thorough and precise heating of the filler material in vivo, provides information related to the position of the filler material at the time of filling, and increases the 3-dimensional packing forces applied to the filler material. The system can additionally include a base unit and/or a plugger. The system (1) analyzes the position of the filler material in the canal prior to heating and packing the filler material, (2) heats the filler material such that the filler material is of a substantially uniform temperature, and (3) allows for packing of the filler material while the delivery device is removed.