Abstract: An improved endodontic instrument includes a tapered working portion defined on a flexible shaft. The working portion includes a plurality of spiral rotationally bi-directional cutting edges thereon. The instrument includes a tapered tip defined on the flexible shaft and intersecting an end of each of the cutting edges of the working portion. The tapered tip has a greater angle of taper than does the tapered working portion. The tapered tip is shaped such that the sharp cutting points which are normally present at an intersection between the ends of the cutting edges and a standard 75.degree. included angle conically tapered tip are substantially eliminated so that lateral transportation of the instrument when cutting a curved root canal is reduced as compared to an otherwise similar instrument having a standard 75.degree. included angle conically tapered tip.

Abstract: A working well is provided for use during root canal therapy and comprises a base with a closed annular side wall and an elongated stem secured to and extending vertically upwardly from the base. A holder for a plurality of dental implements, such as broaches, is attached to the upper end of the side wall so that the implements depend downwardly from the holder. A slide assembly is vertically slidably mounted to the stem and has a stop member with an abutment surface secured to its lower end. The stop member limits the downward extension of the dental implements from the holder. A locking wheel selectively locks the slide assembly against further vertical movement along the stem.

Abstract: A novel dental kit is provided which contains all of the necessary implements, instruments, medicaments and supplies for performing root canal therapy. The kit comprises a housing having a pair of spaced rails for supporting a plurality of hand held dental instruments in an openly accessible position. In addition, a plurality of holder assemblies are mounted to the housing and each holder assembly contains a single type of tooth working implements and maintains them in an openly accessible position. Preferably two reservoirs are formed in the housing, one for holding a sterile liquid, such as alcohol and the other for holding an irrigatory fluid. A pump is also mounted to the housing for pumping the sterile fluid to either an accessory or a main well.

Abstract: An endodontic test file for use in root canal therapy for quickly and accurately measuring the length between the crown occlusal surface and the apex of the root canal without the necessity of x-rays. The test file has a smooth tapered shank with calibrations etched along the shank, a convenient handle on the larger end of the shank and at the narrow end, a sharp screw tip having a total screw length of only approximately 0.5 mm. In operation the test file is inserted into the previously prepared coronal cavity and is screwed through the root canal until rotation of the screw tip no longer advances the test file through the canal. At this point, the tip has passed through the apex and into the infected soft periodontal ligament. The etched shaft calibrations then indicate the precise tooth length.

Abstract: A dental file is disclosed which is particularly useful in endodontia for removing dead or damaged tissue from a curved tooth root canal. The file has a flexible tapered shank which has a cutting surface on its periphery and a pilot projecting from the tapered end of the file for guiding the shank along the curved root canal preventing the cutting surface near the end of the shank from gouging into the wall of the curved root canal or penetrating too far through the apical foramen of the root canal.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument is described which includes a handle from which extends an endo blade. The handle includes an elongated sleeve member formed of resilient material which surrounds a core member secured within the sleeve member. The core member has a longitudinal body portion radially spaced from the inner walls of the sleeve to define therebetween a flexure space for accommodating the deformation of the sleeve member upon gripping of the handle during use of the instrument. Preferably, the sleeve member is provided with gripping ribs thereon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dental file for use in cleaning out or extirpating root canals, particularly those which are curved, wherein the file which conventionally is provided with cutting or abrading flutes, typically in a spiraled manner, is also provided with a smooth, non-abrading pilot end which rides on the deep inner portion of the root canal wall and prevents the file from straightening out and causing the end thereof to "zip" or slice into the canal wall in an uncontrolled manner.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/JP78/00026 Sec. 371 Date July 17, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date July 16, 1979 PCT Filed Nov. 15, 1978 PCT Pub. No. WO79/00300 PCT Pub. Date May 31, 1979A boring needle device for treatment of a dental root canal has a boring needle useful upon treating a dental root canal. The needle can be adjusted, without resort to any special adjustment expedient, to a boring effective needle length which is corresponding to a depth of the canal preliminarily determined by separate means. The needle is secured at the proximal end to a grip member which is caused to stepwisely minutely slide relative to a sleeve member whereby a length of the needle projecting from the sleeve member can be finely adjusted by a determined minute distance.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument formed by twisting a tapered blank which in cross section is ground to an oblique parallelogram, the obtuse angles of the oblique parallelogram cross section being between 105.degree.-120.degree..

Abstract: A clamping handle for holding a tooth root canal instrument is of the kind with a screw head formed thereon and an axial bore through the handle body and the screw head for the accommodation of an instrument shaft, a screw element screwable onto the screw head and also provided with a bore aligned with the axial bore, and a clamping element which can be pressed against the instrument shaft by screwing the screw element onto the screw head. The improvement is that a clamping disk is inserted between a pressing surface of the screw head and an approximately parallel pressing surface of the screw element, the clamping disk having a through-bore, to receive an instrument shaft, which is inclined with respect to the plane of the disk but is aligned with the axial bore of the handle body.

Abstract: A dental hand engine for driving a reamer for widening root canals, which is characterized in the provision of a control device which electrically senses the time when a forward end of the reamer reaches a radical apex for automatically stopping the engine and consequently the reamer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a canal instrument for eliminating interference and achieving the widening of the opening and the contemporaneous flared reaming of the first two-thirds of the dental radicular canals, the instrument being designed in such a way that over the full length it progressively reduces in thickness towards the tip, while the cutting part that extends from the terminal part or the instrument coupling section to an endodontic drill only extends for a part of the working length.

Abstract: A contra-angle ultrasonic endodontic instrument is described which includes, basically, a head mechanically coupled to the ultrasonically driven shaft of an endodontic instrument. The head includes means, such as one or more holes, to receive a shaft of an endodontic tool of relatively uniform longitudinal and lateral cross-section with its longitudinal axis at a substantial angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, thus, ultrasonic vibrations in the shaft are transferred to the tool.

Abstract: A centrally-bored cylindrical abutment member is fitted over the shank of a root canal instrument and held against the instrument handle or head by elastic clipping means acting on the instrument handle, or on a handpiece carrying the instrument. The thickness of the abutment member may be adjustable, e.g. by screwing, or several interchangeable devices with abutment members of different thicknesses can be provided to accurately set the effective penetrable length of the instrument.

Abstract: A measuring device for setting the correct length or penetration depth of root canal instruments comprising relatively movable lower and upper portions and scale means cooperating with said two portions to enable accurately setting the intended depth of penetration of a root canal instrument used by the dentist. The upper portion has a substantially plate-like member having a top face whose distance from a top face or surface of the lower portion, defining a base portion, can be accurately set with the aid of the scale means. The root canal instrument then is inserted through a proper size hole in the plate-like member, onto the top face of which there has been previously placed a stopper, typically in the form of a disc, whereafter the root canal instrument is inserted through the stopper and the hole until the tip of the root canal instrument abuts against the top face or surface of the lower base portion.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement in endodontic drills used by dentists specializing in root canal dentistry. Present endodontic practice in the preparation, cleaning, and shaping of root canals in teeth entails the use of inefficient steel drills. The present invention provides a diamond coated drill and file combined of a design that assures an extremely smooth canal surface to facilitate the cleaning and sealing of the root canal.