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: 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: 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 a metallic contact area on the plastic handle. This change makes using electronic apex locators to determine the length of the root canal much faster and easier.

Abstract: A set of endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth each comprise a shaft, a cutting head on the shaft having a frusto-conical cutting surface tapering inwardly of a shaft from a base end to a second end of the cutting head, and a follower extending from the second end of the cutting head to the distal end of the instrument. The cutting surfaces of a set of the endodontic instruments have different lengths and different tapers between the base and second ends thereof. A pair of retaining spring wires are helically wound in opposite directions about the shaft and are connected to the shaft and to the cutting head to preclude total separation of the cutting head and shaft in the event of breakage of the shaft.

Abstract: An apical portion of a root canal is cleaned with an abrading portion of a file that has a taper that is greater than 0.20. Once the apical portion has been cleaned with an abrading portion that is greater than 0.20, such as 0.25, then an endodontic point, such as a gutta percha point can be easily received in the apical portion of the root canal to seal the apex. It is optimal to utilize a set of instruments. All of the instruments may have files with abrading portions that are greater than 0.25. However, only the larger files need have such abrading portions since they are the last to be used when cleaning the apical portion.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument having a shaft with a near end and a removed end. The shaft is comprised of a first material. A head, the head being comprised of a second material is attached to the removed and of the shaft. The shaft is rotated so as to move with the shaft. The head is permanently attached to the shaft. The head is typically shaped to allow for the cutting of dentin or other tooth or pulp material. Applicant also provides a method for manufacturing such an endodontic instrument by including the steps of forming a tooth cutting member such as a head, forming an elongated shaft and permanently attaching the tooth cutting member or head to the shaft.

Abstract: A dental instrument is provided for use in an endodontic procedure which has a file extending from a handle configured to enable the working length of the handle to be varied. The handle of the instrument is adapted to be received in and to be releasably held by a chuck or collet of an endodontic handpiece head. Both the handles and chucks are adapted to enable the handles to be appropriately positioned in the chuck of a dental handpiece head at various positions to yield a desired working length and to then be secured. The rim around the chuck is preferably configured to act as a stop during use of the handpiece. The instrument is most useful when configured with incremental adjustment indicators, preferably in uniform increments, such that the working length can be determined by viewing the indicators.

Abstract: A dental root canal file (1) has a drilling end (5) and a shank (7) formed of a hollow, substantially closed, helix (16), and openings (14) are defined between the adjacent windings (8a, 8b, 8c) by spacers (13).

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 relates to a dental instrument, in particular a dentist's hand tool for precisely determining and setting the lengths of dental cutting tools.

Abstract: A root canal is sequentially cleaned in sections from the crown to the apex by dividing it into three sections including an operative coronal portion, an operative middle portion and an apical portion. The pulp material is then sequentially removed from the portion of the root canal above the apical portion of the root canal with a set of instruments. The apical portion is then optionally cleaned with another set of instruments. Another optional set of instruments can also be used to improve the access into the apical portion such that irrigants can be delivered to the apical portion.

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: 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: An endodontic file comprising a conductive shank, and a generally non-conductive portion circumscribing the conductive shank and longitudinally extending along the conductive shank. A method for conducting an endodontic procedure comprising providing an endodontic file assembly having a conductive shank electrically engaged to an electronic device for furnishing current to the conductive shank. A generally non-conductive portion circumscribes the conductive shank. The conductive shank including the non-conductive portion passes into a root canal of a tooth for conducting an endodontic procedure.

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: A dental instrument for root canal therapy having a shaft portion and an operational portion extended from such shaft portion, wherein at least a region from the tip of the operational portion down to a predetermined distant position has a sectional form surrounded by an arc and a chord, and a length of a line segment along a vertical bisector of the chord sectioned between such chord and such arc equals to or longer than five-eighths of the diameter of a virtual circle composed by such arc was disclosed.

Abstract: A highly flexible instrument particularly useful in medical applications is elongated and formed of a plurality of flexible metallic strands, at least one strand being spirally wound and having a scraping edge thereon.

Abstract: Precipitation hardenable stainless steel endodontic files and methods for their manufacture, wherein the most preferred precipitation hardenable stainless steel is 17-4PH and aging is preferably not one of the manufacturing steps. Precipitation hardenable stainless steels used in embodiments of this invention are iron-chromium-nickel grades that have the desired properties of flexibility, strength, hardness, wear resistance, stiffness, resistance to permanent deformation, resistance to variable torque, and biocompatibility for endodontic files.

Abstract: The invention relates to a root canal instrument set comprising at least two root canal instruments, each root canal instrument being provided with a collar having a shaft end at one end and a working part including at least one cutting edge on the other end, the working part being shaped conically or crowned, wherein the cone angle of the working parts decrease from the preceding root canal instrument to the subsequent root canal instrument and the working part of the respectively preceding root canal instrument has a larger diameter than the working part of the respectively subsequent root canal instrument. Alternatively, the radii of the crowned working parts may increase from the preceding root canal instrument to the subsequent root canal instrument, and the working part of the preceding root canal instrument may have a larger diameter than the working part of the subsequent root canal instrument.

Abstract: Precipitation hardenable stainless steel endodontic files and methods for their manufacture, wherein the most preferred precipitation hardenable stainless steel is 17-4PH and aging is preferably not one of the manufacturing steps. Precipitation hardenable stainless steels used in embodiments of this invention are iron-chromium-nickel grades that have the desired properties of flexibility, strength, hardness, wear resistance, stiffness, resistance to permanent deformation, resistance to variable torque, and biocompatibility for endodontic files.

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 dental equipment for cutting teeth, forming root canals and so on. The dental apparatus includes: an actuator for actuating a cutting tool; a load sensor for sensing a load worked in the cutting tool; and a load indicator for making an operator know the load sensed by the load sensor visually, aurally and/or tactily.

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: Enhanced radiographic detection is provided by an endodontic marking instrument having a highly radiopaque elongate member, thereby enabling a dentist to better identify the location of the instrument in a root canal and the length of the root canal. The highly radiopaque, high contrast material of the elongate member is a non-toxic, material such as gold, platinum, palladium, silver, tungsten, and the like. The endodontic marking tools of the present invention are distinctly visible on radiographic images in light of the substantial contrast between the highly radiopaque material and the tooth of the patient.

Abstract: An endodontic file is provided that is fabricated from a superelastic alloy material such as an alloy of nickel, titanium and niobium. The superelastic alloy material is selected to have a relatively high loading plateau greater than about 500 MPa. Such alloy material allows the formation of precision ground flutes and cutting edges with reduced incidence of burrs, rolled metal deposits and other imperfections. Thus, the cutting edges of an endodontic file constructed in accordance with the invention are sharper and cleaner than heretofore achieved and less susceptible to wear. The resulting file is also stiffer than comparable files fabricated from conventional NiTi alloys such that improved tactile feedback and manipulation control are provided.

Abstract: A break-resistant composite comprising a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded in a polymer matrix forms a composite for making at least a portion of an endodonic instrument. At least a portion of the fibers are selected from a group consisting of partially twisted fibers and off-axis oriented fibers. The composite instrument can contain abrasive particulates to improve cutting and wear resistance for use in root canal procedures. The twisted fiber composite material allows for applied torque load response, improved flexibility within the root canal, and reduces or eliminates gross breakage of the instrument during use. The inventive composite can be molded or machined to make an endodnic instrument having certain desired diameters, tapers, helical recesses, and other design features.

Abstract: This invention relates to a dental reamer used in dental treatment for forming a root canal, in which the dental reamer prevents digging into a root canal wall and deviation even when attached to a handpiece and driven by an engine. With this reamer, a spiral working portion is formed by grinding and cutting away a tapered rod with two oppositely faced lines, and then, the ground material left with two arcs and a center of a circle is inserted into a molding space comprised of a pair of holding jigs and support jigs to perform the twist-process. In association with the twist-process, a cutting portion and a flank portion are formed on both ends of the working portion.

Abstract: Endodontic instruments, including files, reamers, and broaches, wherein the working shaft portion has flexibility/stiffness properties and hardness properties that may vary along its length. These variations in physical properties can be accomplished by utilization of specific materials having a prescribed amorphous phase content, by application of specific coatings or surface treatments, or by selective or differential heat treatment.

Abstract: A process for producing an endodontic instrument by selectively hacking burr-like cutting edges into a rod of a nickel-titanium alloy. Nickel-titanium being a particularly difficult material to machine; process parameters for performing said hacking procedure are disclosed herein. The cutting edges may be formed in a variety of patterns, such as helical or linear patterns, on the instrument.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument for use in performing root canal procedures comprises an elongate working portion and a chisel tip portion which has removing edges that improve the effectiveness of the instrument in extirpating and enlarging the root canal.

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: Improved endodontic instruments having multiple tapers and instruments which prevent self-feeding or threading into a root canal during root canal therapy on a tooth are provided as well as a process for producing such instruments. The process basically comprises providing a grinding wheel rotated about a first axis having a plurality of flute grinding ribs and an extra flute grinding rib extending from a periphery thereof. A rotating wire stock is fed past the plurality of flute grinding ribs and the extra flute grinding rib at a feed rate and rotation rate such that a separate spiral flute is ground on the wire stock by each of the plurality of flute grinding ribs and the extra grinding rib. The feed rate and rotation rate of the wire stock is changed during the grinding of the instrument whereby the extra grinding rib follows the spiral path of the first flute grinding rib to thereby reduce the number of spiral flutes being ground on the instrument.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for visually grouping and organizing endodontic files for expeditious selection and use during a root canal procedure. The method calls for marking reference points for each root canal on the crown of the tooth to be treated, using distinguishing colors or other visually perceptible characteristics. The reference points so color coded correspond to colors marked on a file holder, so that a dental practitioner can quickly and accurately select a file from an array of prepared files, wherein the selected file is appropriate for a tooth being addressed at any one point during the procedure. Files associated with any one root canal are held in a portion of the file holder bearing a distinctive color, and thus can be readily identified as being associated with one another. Marking the tooth with a similar color enables the several files prepared for any one root canal to be quickly associated with the correct root canal.

Abstract: A dental handpiece for forming root canals comprising a motor, a cutting tool driven by said motor, and control means for automatically and periodically reversing the motor according to preset rotation periods of the tool in one direction and in the opposite one, respectively. Preferably, the preset rotation periods are each and independently selected in the range of 0.05 to 2.50 sec. Means for detecting the load torque applied to the tool may also be enabled, so that the control means reverse said motor when the torque detected by the load torque detection means reaches a preset reference value, the control means also triggering an acoustic signal when the detected load torque enters a neighborhood of the preset reference torque.

Abstract: The appliance of the present invention works effectively during root canal treatment by being firmly attached to the tooth to be treated and having a fixed platform from which the file can have a fixed working length. The appliance has three functional parts: (1) an attachment section that is held against the tooth by a matrix retainer and band, (2) a resting section that rests against the occlusal or top of the crown of the tooth, and (3) a guide section with a hole that pivots or is fixed over the tooth. The appliance is preferably attached to the tooth by any tofflemiere type matrix holder and band. Once the working or desired length of the file is obtained, then it is placed into the guide section of the appliance which is stationary in one plane. Therefore, the file cannot extend further than the desired length into the canal. This appliance provides an effective stop for the file while it is being used.

Abstract: A root canal is sequentially cleaned in sections from the crown to the apex by dividing it into three sections including an operative coronal portion, an operative middle portion and an apical portion. The pulp material is then sequentially removed from the portion of the root canal above the apical portion of the root canal with a set of instruments having stainless steel files. The apical portion is then cleaned with another set of instruments that have nickel/titanium files. An optional set of instruments can also be used to improve the access into the apical portion such that irrigants can be delivered to the apical portion.

Abstract: There is provided a method of dental treatment by preparing the space in need of treatment and further mobilizing products into otherwise inaccessible space in need of treatment. Also provided is a tool for dental treatments including a mobilizer for actively moving a product from a deposit site to an oral treatment site.

Abstract: A device for sealing the pulp cavity and root canals of a devitalized tooth, comprising a vacuum pump, a first connecting conduit between this vacuum pump and the pulp cavity, a source of fluid substance for sealing this pulp cavity, a second connecting conduit between the source of fluid substance and the pulp cavity, and structure for closing said second conduit in order to bring the source of fluid sealing substance selectively into communication with the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental root canal therapeutic instrument comprising: a shaft portion and a work portion made of spiral projections in continuation with the shaft portion. A cross section of the projections of the work portion is formed of a set of long sides and a set of short sides and is composed of a parallelogram constituted of a set of acute angle edges and a set of obtuse angle edges, wherein the acute angle edges among the acute angle edges and the obtuse angle edges, which form the projections, are placed on a side of the shaft on the side face of the work portion, and wherein a tip of the acute angle edge is located at a further position with respect to a center axis of the work portion than a position of a tip of the obtuse angle edge.

Abstract: A root canal is sequentially cleaned in sections from the crown to the apex by dividing it into three sections including an operative coronal portion, an operative middle portion and an apical portion. After an opening is formed into the tooth to provide access into the root canal, the opening is preferably rectified to remove obstructions so that the anatomical root canal can be fully accessed. The pulp material is then sequentially removed from the portion of the root canal above the apical portion of the root canal with a set of instruments. An instrument may be used having a file with abrasive material on only its upper portion for aggresive abrading. The apical portion is then preferably cleaned with an irrigator or alternatively with another set of instruments. An optional set of instruments can also be used to improve the access into the apical portion such that irrigants can be delivered to the apical portion.

Abstract: An apical portion of a root canal is cleaned with an abrading portion of a file that has a taper that is greater than 0.20. Once the apical portion has been cleaned with an abrading portion that is greater than 0.20, such as 0.25, then an endodontic point, such as a gutta percha point can be easily received in the apical portion of the root canal to seal the apex. It is optimal to utilize a set of instruments. All of the instruments may have files with abrading portions that are greater than 0.25. However, only the larger files need have such abrading portions since they are the last to be used when cleaning the apical portion.

Abstract: A gauge serving as a jig to adjust exposed length of endodontic files with respect to respective encircling resilient stops which prevent overpenetration into a root canal of a patient. The gauge has a body bearing four parallel, coplanar tracks for slidably receiving an equal number of slides. Each slide has a plurality of spaced apart steps enabling endodontic files to be adjusted to differing operating lengths, and a thumbscrew which secures the slide in place within its track. The thumbscrews are arranged to establish a two discrete levels of friction, the first enabling fine adjustment and the second locking the slide in place. A retaining barrier formed in the body has a plurality of openings for each track, thereby being able to receive and make multiple adjustments to several files when the latter are placed against any one slide. Measurement indicia are optionally borne near one or more tracks, for setting the slides to correspond to radiographic lengths of a patient's root canals.

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: A break-resistant composite comprising a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded in a polymer matrix forms a composite for making at least a portion of an endodonic instrument. At least a portion of the fibers are selected from a group consisting of partially twisted fibers and off-axis oriented fibers. The composite instrument can contain abrasive particulates to improve cutting and wear resistance for use in root canal procedures. The twisted fiber composite material allows for applied torque load response, improved flexibility within the root canal, and reduces or eliminates gross breakage of the instrument during use. The inventive composite can be molded or machined to make an endodnic instrument having certain desired diameters, tapers, helical recesses, and other design features.

Abstract: An endodontic probe system comprises a measuring kit of a plurality of flexible rods for insertion as probes into a root canal for determining the apical aperture diameter. Each rod has a tip end with a diametrally enlarged end ball structure so that a user obtains a precise tactile sensation when passing the end ball through the apical aperture. A variety of different end ball shapes are disclosed. Measurement of the apical aperture diameter is important to determine so that the root canal may be properly and entirely cleaned without unnecessary reaming or enlarging the diameter of the apical aperture.

Abstract: Teeth, the hardest substance in the human body, are frequently all that remain of a mortuary population from which direct human presence can be gleaned. As such their morphology is invaluable to physical anthropologists and investigators in allied disciplines. Methods currently used for purposes of extracting DNA from dental remains—e.g. bone-milling, crushing, and sectioning—result in total destruction of the teeth. This paper introduces the Reverse-Root-Canal, a protocol by which DNA of molecular weight higher than that obtainable through traditional destructive means, can be obtained from ancient dental remains without harm to the morphologically informative crown and roots.

Abstract: A root canal is sequentially cleaned in sections from the crown to the apex by dividing it into three sections including an operative coronal portion, an operative middle portion and an apical portion. The pulp material is then sequentially removed from the portion of the root canal above the apical portion of the root canal with a set of instruments. The apical portion is then optionally cleaned with another set of instruments. Another optional set of instruments can also be used to improve the access into the apical portion such that irrigants can be delivered to the apical portion.

Abstract: A method of forming a superelastic endodontic file by grinding a superelastic wire to form a file blank, and rotating a first end of the blank while preventing rotation of a second end of the blank is disclosed. The file blank is maintained in the austenite phase until twisted to form a stress induced martensite which is plastically deformed by the twisting. A heat treatment step may be performed prior to twisting, during twisting or after twisting of the preform. The method disclosed allows for increased flexibility in the design of files including the production of a rhomboid superelastic file.

Abstract: A container for packaging a plurality of endodontic instruments, and for laying out the endodontic instruments to indicate the preferred sequential use of the instruments by a practitioner, includes a case having a bottom, and a lid for enclosing the bottom of the container. The bottom includes a tray for receiving the endodontic instruments and a plurality of sequence markings which illustrate (for example, by color) progressive operating procedures for using sequences of the endodontic instruments. The lid is removed by the practitioner at the start of a treatment, and includes at least one counter which can be used to indicate the number of times a particular sequence of endodontic instruments has been used.