Abstract: An endodontic file (6) including a discontinuity (18) formed within the file shank (7). The discontinuity (18) creates a safe breakage point at which the file (6) will fail prior to a failure occurring at any other point along the length (11) of the file. The safe breakage point prevents the tip (21) of the file (6) from becoming irremovably embedded in a human tooth (12) after file failure. Substantially the entire length (11) of the file (6) remains connected to the tip (21) after file failure, thereby providing a considerable portion of the file which may be gripped and manipulated in order to accomplish file removal. Empirical data is presented to permit proper characterization of the region surrounding the discontinuity (18).

Abstract: A dental kit for use in placing a dental post in a prepared recess (e.g., a root canal) of a person's tooth. The dental kit includes a finishing drill, a plurality of permanent dental posts, a dental post analog, and optionally, a starter drill. The kit also includes a container having an interior, means for suspending the kit components within the container, and a removable lid.

Abstract: Root canal instrument sets and instruments having high loadability and high breakage safety.

Abstract: A non-landed endodontic instrument has flutes formed along a working length of the instrument shaft. The flutes define cutting edges for shaping a root canal of a tooth. The cutting edges lie at a major diameter of the shaft and peripheral flute surfaces behind the cutting edges extend along decreasing radial distances from the center of the shaft, in a direction opposite the cutting direction of the instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a root canal treatment tool that is formed in a shape of a rod and has a work portion formed in a predetermined length from a tip and a shank formed in a manner continuous with the work portion. The work portion has a shape memory characteristic in a range of a predetermined length from the tip and a superelastic characteristic in a remaining portion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drilling instrument (10), in particular for drilling dental root canals comprising a base (11) and a guide section (13) as well as a polygonal cutting section (12). Said cutting section includes several helical cutting edges (17) defining an envelope (15). The flutes (14), which are the surfaces linking in the cutting edges, are cut out such that part of them define clearance zones (16a) alternately arranged between the drilling zones (16b). In the central part of a clearance zone (16a), the cutting edges (17) are all arranged recessed inside the envelope (15), in the central part of the drilling zone (16b), said cutting edges are all arranged on the envelope, and in a zone intermediate between a clearance zone (16a) and an adjacent drilling zone (16b), at least one cutting edge is on the envelope and at least one cutting edge is recesses inside the envelope.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument for root canal treatment is provided having a working portion manipulated by a handle and a connection assembly for attachment with an electronic apex locator. The connection assembly allows the electronic apex locator to be connected to the instrument at or through the coronal end of the handle. Preferably, the connection assembly includes a male/female assembly located within or on the surface the file handle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus providing an endodontic instrument having a reversed helix. An endodontic instrument in accordance with the invention includes a shaft that includes an end, a tip, one or more flutes, and a longitudinal axis. At least one flute includes a cutting edge configured to cut when the shaft is rotated in a first direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis. The at least one flute spirals around the shaft in an end-to-tip longitudinal direction and in a second direction of rotation that is opposite from the first direction of rotation.

Abstract: An endodontic reamer and a method for manufacturing endodontic reamers and files, more specifically an endodontic reamer having a cylindrical shaft and a working portion extending forward from a removed end of the shaft. The working portion includes, typically, a pair of wedged shaped projecting sections that extend beyond the diameter of the shaft. Forward from the wedge shaped sections is a nose, typically non-cutting nose, that has a diameter of about equal to diameter of the shaft. There are typically two (2) wedge shaped sections projecting outward opposite one another. Applicant also provides a novel method for manufacturing an endodontic reamer, which consists of using a two piece mold and placing a wire blank between the mold, followed by forcing the mold together, under compression, against the wire blank, to deform the blank into the shape of the mold parts.

Abstract: A process for producing an endodontic instrument by selectively hacking burr-like cutting projections or barbs into an elongated metal rod. A cylindrical hacking blade or other suitable blade having a convex cutting edge is preferably used to produce generally cup-shaped or concave barbs for greater strength and cutting efficiency. The barbs may be formed in a variety of shapes, sizes, orientations and patterns, such as regular or irregular helical or linear patterns, on the instrument.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument for accessing a pulp chamber of a molar includes an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end and a stop fixed to the shaft at a distance between 6–8 mm from the lower end. The instrument also includes a cutting head located along the shaft adjacent the lower end. In certain embodiments, the cutting head has an annular cutting surface extending about a first circumferential portion of the cutting head and a flat non-cutting surface extending about a second circumferential portion of the cutting head. The lower end of the shaft may have a pointed tip.

Abstract: Unitary, one-piece plastic molded micro-brushes are provided to remove the smear layer that remains in the root canal and access chamber after the pulp, bacteria, and related irritants have been mechanically and chemically removed from the root canal and access chamber using rotary cutting burs, files and various chemical reagents. The brushes include a handle, shaft or shank and a tapered brush section extending from the distal end of the shank. The brush section includes a plurality of bristles extending radially from a core. The bristles of the root canal brush can be formed in a reverse thread pattern. The brush section of the root canal brush has a diameter of between about 0.1 mm and about 0.2 mm at a tip end and a diameter of between about 0.5 mm and 3 mm at a coronal-most end. The brush section of the root canal brush is about 16 mm long, and has a taper of about 2% to about 12%. In the access chamber brush, the core can be formed as to be spherical, football-shaped, or tapered.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic files involves a chemical milling process to yield endodontic files having a desired taper. The process involves the steps of (a) providing a metallic rod having a cutting portion with a polygonal cross section; (b) torsioning the rod so as to form helical cutting surfaces in the cutting portion of the metallic rod; and (c) chemically milling the cutting portion of the rod so as to taper the cutting portion. The rod may be formed of any desirable metallic material, for example stainless steel or a nickel-titanium alloy.

Abstract: A fluteless endodontic file is provided, formed from a tapered shaft of material having a prismatic shape generally defined by three or more side surfaces and three or more interposed corners. A plurality of notches are cut into one or more corners defining cutting surfaces, points and/or edges. The notched cutting surfaces are formed such that the file, when rotated and/or reciprocated within a root canal, effectively cuts/debrides hard tissue (known in the art as dentin) as well as soft tissue, thus, forming an optimal canal shape. The cutting surfaces are also preferably formed at an angle to the centerline of the instrument to provide optimal cutting efficiency and material removal. The fluteless file design exhibits increased efficacy, with less tendency to bind and break within the root canal and also significantly reduces manufacturing and capital equipment costs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus providing a critical set of endodontic instruments. The set includes a first endodontic instrument, a second endodontic instrument, and a third endodontic instrument. Each endodontic instrument includes a working portion that has a cone-like shape. Each working portion having an effective contact area defined by the exposed surface area of the working portion's respective cone-like shape. The difference between the effective contact areas of the first endodontic instrument and second endodontic instrument being substantially the same as the difference between the effective contact areas of the second endodontic instrument and third endodontic instrument.

Abstract: The invention generally provides flocked files for debriding root canals during endodontic procedures. The flocked files comprise a shank with a periphery surface and fibers that are flocked or otherwise attached to the periphery surface. The periphery surface comprises at least one flocked surface segment over which the fibers are dispersed and may include at least one abrading surface segment that is suitable for abrading or scraping the walls of the root canal. The fibers may be composed of various materials and may comprise various textures, Deniers, lengths, and flexibility. The fibers abrade and loosen potential irritants in the root canal architecture, including the recessed regions and the accessory canals, without requiring unnecessary reshaping and removal of dentin from the root canal. The fibers also capture and carry loosened debris out from the root canal.

Abstract: The invention is an improved endodontic adapter for a sonic scaler consisting of a talon having a threaded end for insertion into the handle of the sonic scaler. A pair of downwardly pointed barbs protrudes radially from the side of the adapter for receiving an elastic ligature, which firmly holds the dental instrument such as file to the talon. The opposite end of the talon has a tapered shaft that receives an aperture drilled into the side of the dental instrument. The ligature is simply wrapped around the dental instrument on opposite sides of the talon and then the ends are wrapped around the downwardly pointing barbs.

Abstract: A dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, includes an elongated unitary shaft member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end having an outer surface, an attachment member at the proximal end to enable detachable attachment to an ultrasonic transducer; and a cutting surface defined by a plurality of grooves on the outer surface forming sharp edges.

Abstract: The cleaning instrument (10) comprises a head portion (10) and, adjacent thereto, a cleaning portion (14) having a shank (20), which is provided with bristles (22) on its external surface. In order that especially the tooth root canal or also a tooth interstice can be reliably cleaned using the cleaning instrument (10), the shank (20) is of integral construction with the bristles (22).

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing endodontic instruments are provided. Methods relate to milling a blank with a cutting process to shape the instrument. Instruments so produced are also provided.

Abstract: A device for cleaning endodontic files and indicating flaws in endodontic files comprises a foam core contained in a housing and a covering overlaying the core through which a file is inserted into the device. A method for cleaning endodontic files using the device comprises the steps of inserting a file into the device and withdrawing the file. A method for detecting flaws in a file, includes the steps for cleaning the file and then examining the file for debris from the endodontic procedure adhering to the file which indicates the presence and location of damage to the file.

Abstract: This invention modifies hand root canal files used in dentistry by placing metallic contact areas on the plastic handle. This change makes using electronic apex locators to determine the length of the root canal much faster and easier.

Abstract: This application relates to the field of Dentistry, and in more particular to the use of root canal excavating implements such as files, broaches, reamers, or probes employed for the use of clearing tissue and removing dentin from the nerve canal of teeth. An introduced bent tip of 45 degrees to the angle of the implement, at a distance as close as a half of one millimeter from the leading tip, is cited as an improved means to get the tip of the implement to the desired working length.

Abstract: Instrument for the treatment of the apical portion of radicular dental canals, has a conical shaft (1) having at least one helicoidal working ridge. The active anterior portion (2) of the instrument is comprised of at least two successive cones whose opening (,X) decreases from the anterior point (3) of the instrument in the direction of its active posterior portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing endodontic files involves a chemical milling process to yield endodontic files having a desired taper. The process involves the steps of (a) providing a metallic rod having a cutting portion with a polygonal cross section; (b) torsioning the rod so as to form helical cutting surfaces in the cutting portion of the metallic rod; and (c) chemically milling the cutting portion of the rod so as to taper the cutting portion. The rod may be formed of any desirable metallic material, for example stainless steel or a nickel-titanium alloy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus providing an endodontic instrument having a reversed helix. An endodontic instrument in accordance with the invention includes a shaft that includes an end, a tip, one or more flutes, and a longitudinal axis. At least one flute includes a cutting edge configured to cut when the shaft is rotated in a first direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis. The at least one flute spirals around the shaft in an end-to-tip longitudinal direction and in a second direction of rotation that is opposite from the first direction of rotation.

Abstract: A device for use in an endodontic root canal, performed using a dental drill hand set has a first upper unit coupled to the drill hand set. The first upper unit is cylindrical in shape and has a first drill shank shaft therethrough. The upper unit has a first threading on its outside surface. A second bottom unit, cylindrical in shape, is also provided, having a second drill shank shaft therethrough. The second bottom unit has a second corresponding threading on its inside surface. When the second bottom unit is screwed onto the first upper unit a root canal jig is formed having a set height and allowing a shank from the drill hand set to pass through the first and second drill shank shafts, such that when the drill shank of the drill hand set is drilled into an affected tooth for a root canal, the drill shank is prevented from drilling along its entire length into the root of the affected tooth when the bottom of the root canal jig contacts the top of the tooth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus providing a critical set of endodontic instruments. The set includes a first endodontic instrument, a second endodontic instrument, and a third endodontic instrument. Each endodontic instrument includes a working portion that has a cone-like shape. Each working portion having an effective contact area defined by the exposed surface area of the working portion's respective cone-like shape. The difference between the effective contact areas of the first endodontic instrument and second endodontic instrument being substantially the same as the difference between the effective contact areas of the second endodontic instrument and third endodontic instrument.

Abstract: Unitary, one-piece plastic molded micro-brushes are provided to remove the smear layer that remains in the root canal and access chamber after the pulp, bacteria, and related irritants have been mechanically and chemically removed from the root canal and access chamber using rotary cutting burs, files and various chemical reagents. The brushes include a handle, shaft or shank and a tapered brush section extending from the distal end of the shank. The brush section includes a plurality of bristles extending radially from a core. The bristles of the root canal brush can be formed in a reverse thread pattern. The brush section of the root canal brush has a diameter of between about 0.1 mm and about 0.2 mm at a tip end and a diameter of between about 0.5 mm and 3 mm at a coronal-most end. The brush section of the root canal brush is about 16 mm long, and has a taper of about 2% to about 12%. In the access chamber brush, the core can be formed as to be spherical, football-shaped, or tapered.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth having at least one straight flute which prevents self-threading or screwing of the instrument into a root canal during use. The instrument includes a shaft having a longitudinal central axis, a shank portion and an elongated working portion extending from the shank portion along the central axis, the elongated working portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one peripheral surface and at least one straight flute formed on at least a portion of the peripheral surface of the working portion, the straight flute forming at least one cutting edge on the peripheral surface. The straight flute may be formed of a plurality of flute sections disposed on the peripheral surface of the instrument, the plurality of flute sections angularly displaced about the central axis with respect to one another. A method of manufacturing an endodontic instrument is also disclosed.

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 endodontic file is provided for shaping and/or preparing a root canal. The file may include multiple cutting segments separated by non-cutting segments. The cutting segments are tapered and may have a cutting edge formed by plural helical flutes. Alternatively, the cutting segments may be formed of a substantially non-circular geometric shape with substantially straight cutting edges. The file is flexible and has increased resistance to cyclic fatigue breakage. The file further controls or limits which areas of the root canal are shaped and/or prepared during file use. The file may form part of a series of files to shape and/or prepare a root canal. Each file in the series may have cutting segments and non-cutting segments strategically placed in different regions along the working portion of the file to shape and/or prepare different portions of the root canal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drilling instrument (10), in particular for drilling dental root canals comprising a base (11) and a guide section (13) as well as a polygonal cutting section (12). Said cutting section includes several helical cutting edges (17) defining an envelope (15). The flutes (14), which are the surfaces linking in the cutting edges, are cut out such that part of them define clearance zones (16a) alternately arranged between the drilling zones (16b). In the central part of a clearance zone (16a), the cutting edges (17) are all arranged recessed inside the envelope (15), in the central part of the drilling zone (16b), said cutting edges are all arranged on the envelope, and in a zone intermediate between a clearance zone (16a) and an adjacent drilling zone (16b), at least one cutting edge is on the envelope and at least one cutting edge is recesses inside the envelope.

Abstract: An endodontic reamer (10) and a method for manufacturing endodontic reamers (10) and files, more specifically an endodontic reamer (10) having a cylindrical shaft (12) and a working portion (16) extending forward from a removed end of the shaft. The working portion (16) includes, typically, a pair of wedged shaped projecting sections (18) that extend beyond the diameter of the shaft (12). Forward from the wedge shaped sections (18) is a nose, typically noncutting nose (24a), that has a diameter of about equal to the diameter of the shaft (12). There are typically two wedge-shaped sections projecting outward opposite one another. A novel method is provided for manufacturing an endodontic reamer (10), which consists of using a two-piece mold and a wire blank between the mold, followed by forcing the mod together, under compression, against the wire blank, to deform the blank into the shape of mold parts.

Abstract: An endodontic file (200) is provided particularly adapted for the removal of tooth structure, decayed or damaged nerve tissues or dentine material on the interior walls of a root canal or dentine and/or enamel from the external tooth wall. The endodontic instrument includes a shaft (202) having a shank portion (204) and a generally elongated working portion (206). The working portion preferably includes cutting or abrading features (232) adapted upon rotation and/or reciprocation of the instrument to cut, abrade or remove tissue from the interior walls of a root canal or dentine and/or enamel from the external tooth wall. The working portion extends from a proximal end (207) adjacent the shank portion to a distal end (208) terminating at a tip (250).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device comprising a mechanism for indicating a value representing current fatigue and devices for modifying the value based on parameters related to the use of the odontological instrument. In a particular embodiment, the devices indicating the fatigue value comprises a washer (16) connected to the instrument and provided with a certain predetermined number of detachable elements or pre-perforations (17). Depending on the use of the instrument, for example, its diameter, its taper ratio, the curve of the dental canal to be excavated and the duration of the operation, a certain number of detachable elements are removed or a certain number of pre-perforations are perforated (17′). When the number of detachable elements or the number of pre-perforations (17) remaining on the device is less than the number of elements to be detached or perforated on the basis of the predetermined operational parameters, the odontological instrument should no longer be used.

Abstract: A root canal is cleaned in a manner that at least partially approximates the actual anatomy of the root canal. An endodontic file instrument is inserted into an exposed root canal, such as an asymmetric root canal, and then rotated and moved in a manner so as to have a plurality of centers of rotation. The file instrument may be moved from side to side and/or in a milling motion and/or using the contours of the root canal as a guide in order to remove substantially all of the pulp material, e.g., from the operative middle portion of the root canal. In this way, less of the surrounding dentin is removed compared to conventional methods. The file instrument may be rotated in a single direction, or it may have a reciprocating motion.

Abstract: The present system for biomechanical endodontic preparation uses an electro-electronic piece of equipment commanded by software, based on the principle whereby the mechanical forces determining the fracture of the file are monitored by an electronic circuit of great precision to detect the existence of a force equal to or greater than the one determined by the system, and interrupt its operation prior to the actual risk of file fracture, developed to monitor the forces applied to the file being used, within the sequence of sectored cutting, as appropriate for the work, controlling the torque applied to said files, thus avoiding their rupture.

Abstract: A medical implant or device comprising at least one component at least partially fabricated from an alloy having a composition represented by the general formula Xa Mb Alc, where X is Zr or Hf, M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Ti and Cu, and a, b and c are, in atomic percentages, 25<a<85, 5<b<70 and 0<c<35, the alloy comprising an amorphous phase as a volume fraction of at least 50%.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument and method of manufacturing an instrument including an elongate member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end and a working length between the proximal and distal ends. The working length is formed with a plurality of surface portions ground from the outer surface thereof along paths extending along the longitudinal axis. One or more edges formed during the initial grinding operations are then at least partially ground down. The ground blank is then physically twisted to form helical cutting and/or debris removal edges extending around the longitudinal axis. The instrument may be a file or reamer used in root canal procedures and may have three, four or more longitudinally extending surface portions and multiple edges. Flexibility of the instrument may also be easily varied according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a root canal instrument for manual use, the instrument comprising a grip member 1 which has attached thereto an elongated tapering shaft 2 which is provided with at least one cutting edge coiled in spiral form around the longitudinal axis 8 of the shaft 2, characterized in that the shaft 2 has a cross-sectional shape which is provided at two opposite sides with one cutting edge 3, 4 each and whose side surfaces 5, 6 connecting the cutting edges 3, 4 are each made convex.

Abstract: A tapered self-centering rotating endodontic file includes an annular governor collar, such as, for example, a truncated cone or cylinder, which merges into the handle. The file does not require the use of a radial land trailing a cutting edge of the file. Hence, the rotating file prevents damage from eccentric non-centered movement of file against the inner wall of the canal. The smooth, non-cutting annular governor portion is provided on the file, away from the fluted cutting edges of the file, so that the governor can contact the inner walls of the canal as the cutting edges are cleaning and shaping internal dentinal walls of the canal. Optionally, a set of files includes a first file for initially opening the canal, a second file for canal and a third file for finishing, shaping and cleaning the canal.

Abstract: A dental handpiece stably cutting a wall of a root canal without a fear of piercing a root opening. The dental handpiece includes a means for holding a tool cutting a tooth to be cured and a support for setting the cutting tool at a desired position relative to the tooth to be cured. The length of the support may be changeable by stages. The holding means may be formed of a head of the dental handpiece and a plurality of supports with different lengths may be removably mounted to the head. The support can stand on a head of the dental handpiece and the length from the head is changeable. The support is formed separately from the dental handpiece to be removable, and may have a stopper which abut with a tooth to be cured or an appropriate portion near the tooth.

Abstract: In a dental root canal instrument which comprises a working part 1 provided with cutting edges, the working part being provided with one or more cutting edges 2 distributed around the circumference of the working part in the cross section thereof, and the instrument having a free end of the working part 1 designated as a tip 3, the tip 3 being formed as a rounded cap, and wherein a portion of the working part 1 which follows the tip 3 is designed over a length designated as a guide section 7 such that material is removed exclusively within a range of not more than 180° of the circumference thereof, the invention suggests that the working part 1 should comprise, as a rule, two or more helically extending cutting edges 2, with only one cutting edge 2 being arranged in the guide section 7 and the guide section 7 towards the tip being of a more tapering conicity than the remaining working part 1.

Abstract: A non-landed endodontic instrument has flutes formed along a working length of the instrument shaft. The flutes define cutting edges for shaping a root canal of a tooth. The cutting edges lie at a major diameter of the shaft and peripheral flute surfaces behind the cutting edges extend along decreasing radial distances from the center of the shaft, in a direction opposite the cutting direction of the instrument.

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: A multi-tapered endodontic file is provided, formed from shaft of material having a generally twisted prismatic shape defined by three or more side surfaces and three or more interposed corners. The shaft includes a working portion having one or more tissue-removing edges, points and/or surfaces. The working portion is tapered along its length in accordance with a first predetermined taper function. The working portion is further tapered in accordance with second taper function different from the first taper function. The superimposition of the first and second taper functions results in a desired interference pattern of tissue-removing edges, points and/or surfaces. The multi-tapered endodontic file design exhibits increased efficacy, with less tendency to bind or screw into and/or break within the root canal.

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: Instrument for the treatment of the apical portion of radicular dental canals, has a conical shaft (1) having at least one helicoidal working ridge. The active anterior portion (2) of the instrument is comprised of at least two successive cones whose opening (&bgr;,X) decreases from the anterior point (3) of the instrument in the direction of its active posterior portion.

Abstract: An endodontic system of shaping instruments, irrigation cannulas, filling instruments and materials designed to safely create specific tapers of root canal preparations and to clean, dry, seal, and restore them. The shaping instruments are a series of reamers, files, and handpiece burs, made of stainless steel, nickel-titanium, or other alloys, which impart several different specifically-tapered apertures in root canals. The instruments have one or more safety features to eliminate perforating curved roots, including shorter flute length as the angle of taper increases and variable sharpness along the length of the flute portion, as well as variable flute pitch along the length of the flute portion to maximize cutting efficiency and resistance to breakage, and a rounded tip to eliminate ledging. The hand instruments have a handle designed to optimize use of the instruments in apically directed, notary cutting motions.