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: In general, the invention consists of an indicator means for indicating the usage of an endodontic instrument by providing a visual indication of the number of sterilizations of the instrument. The indicator includes a modified “stop” or “washer” which is used with each endodontic instrument. The “stop” includes a dye compatible base which is impregnated with a diffusible dye composition. The base is made of a dye compatible material which enables the diffusible dye to migrate or diffuse as a result of a specific number of sterilizations at a specific temperature from an interior portion in the base where the dye is not visible to an exterior position where the dye is visible. Since the “stop” is also sterilized along with the instrument, the “stop” will change color after a specified number of sterilizations of the instrument has occurred.

Abstract: An endodontic 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 cut from the outer surface thereof along paths extending along at least partially around the longitudinal axis. The cut surface portions are 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 corresponding edges. The cutting edges define grind angles that vary along the working length. Flexibility of the instrument may also be easily varied according to the invention. Methods of manufacturing the instrument may include grinding flats on the outer surface of a wire blank, with the flats partially twisting around the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extirpating tissue from a radicular dental canal comprises a set of instruments having graduated lengths and diameters. In one embodiment of the invention, one instrument is of such length to extirpate the apical foramen. This full depth instrument has a first cutting length that conforms to a first taper angle between a conical apex and a first base diameter. The first cutting length is less than the length of the root canal. Above the first cutting length, the instrument may be cylindrical. The full depth instrument is followed by a second instrument having a length that is less than that of the full length instrument by the length of the first cutting length. The second instrument cutting length is also less than the length of the root canal and extends between a minor diameter at the tip of the instrument and minor diameter at the longitudinal end of the cutting length.

Abstract: The invention is an endodontic handpiece, its control system and method of use for rotating an endodontic file to clean a root canal. The invention control system provides for rotating a file clockwise or counterclockwise through a desired first arc of rotation and, next, sequentially rotating the instrument in the opposite direction of the first arc of rotation through a second arc of rotation, wherein the first arc of rotation exceeds the second arc of rotation such that sequentially occurring rotations cause debris material removed in cleaning the canal to be ejected upwardly from the clean surfaces as such file is advanced in cleaning the canal.

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: A highly flexible instrument particularly useful in medical and dental 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: 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 dental root canal instrument with a head part and an instrument part connected thereto. To lengthen the useful lifetime of the instrument, the instrument part has a coating of a wear-resistant material over at least a part of its length. The coating preferably has a certain color which is characteristic of the respective type of dental root canal instrument.

Abstract: The endodontic instrument disclosed herein comprises a back portion sized to be comfortably received within a user's hand, a middle portion which is smaller in cross-section than the back portion, and a threaded front portion of larger cross sectional size than the middle portion. The middle portion may be straight along the centerline of the back portion, or may be partially radiused from fifteen to forty-five degrees from the centerline of the back portion. A transverse aperture extends through the threaded front portion. The transverse aperture is sized to closely receive the shaft of a dental tool from either side of the transverse aperture. A nut is threadably received on the threaded front portion, and the nut is rotated to tighten the nut against the shaft of the selected tool to secure the selected tool to the endodontic instrument. The back portion and the nut are preferably textured to improve the gripping surface.

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. An operative phase corresponds with each section and specific instrumentation is used in each phase. 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 filly 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. 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: 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 releasbly 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 handle 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: The invention relates to a handpiece (1) in particular for medical or dental purposes, having a connection device (3) for a tool (4) which is arranged in the forward end region of the hand piece (1), and having a settable stop device (6) for limiting the penetration depth of the tool (4), which stop device has a stop part (7), which is adjustable in a guide (8) longitudinally of the penetration depth of the tool (4) and is secured in the respective adjusted position by means of a clamping force (11). For the purpose of more ready setting of the stop part the clamping force (11) is elastic and on the one hand is so great that it secures the stop part (7) against displacing forces effective in functional operation, and on the other hand is only so large that the stop part (7) can be manually displaced, and in that the stop part (7) is of a hard elastically bendable material and sits in the guide (8) bowed so far that its return bending force (11a) gives rise to the clamping force (11).

Abstract: A step-back eliminating tapered dental cutting instrument for improved root canal treatment and a method of root canal therapy in which the instrument includes a first tapered working portion having spiral-shaped cutting edges which define a first tapered angle, and a second tapered working portion having spiral-shaped cutting edges which define at least one second tapered angle. The second separate tapered angle may have a compound curve taper steeper at the distal tip of the instrument.

Abstract: A micro-brush is provided to remove the smear layer that remains in the root canal after the pulp, bacteria, and related irritants have been mechanically and chemically removed from the root canal using files and sodium hypochlorite. The brush includes a 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 central wire base. The bristles can be formed in a reverse thread pattern. The shank can be provided with a handle for manual use or the shank can be adapted to be received in a rotary, sonic, or ultrasonic handpiece to impart rotational or vibratory motion to the micro-brush. The brush section has a diameter of between about 0.2 mm and about 0.7 mm at a tip end and a diameter of between about 1 mm and 2 mm at a coronal-most end. The brush section is about 16 mm long, and thus has a taper of about 0.06 mm/mm and about 0.12 mm/mm.

Abstract: Present invention relates to an endodontic instrument comprising a shaft and a work portion connecting to the shaft. The work portion has a plurality of helically extending blades to form a rectangular cross section in which the opposite edges of one set are longer edges and the opposite edges of the other set are shorter edges, the work portion having each apex of a right angle.

Abstract: An improved rotary handpiece and endodontic file for cleaning and enlarging a root canal of a tooth are provided by the present invention. The handpiece includes a rotary drive connected to a chuck assembly for rotating the endodontic file and a movable latch assembly for holding the endodontic file while allowing the chuck assembly to rotate the file about its axis. Means for moving the latch assembly towards and away from the chuck assembly at controlled rates and thereby advancing and retracting the endodontic file at controlled rates are attached to the handpiece and to the latch assembly.

Abstract: Enhanced radiographic detection is provided by an endodontic marking instrument having a high density 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 high density, high contrast material of the elongate member is a non-toxic, high density, radiopaque, metallic 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 high density radiopaque material and the tooth of the patient.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and shaping a root canal in a tooth in preparation for filling the root canal with a filler material, such as gutta percha, as a part of an endodontic procedure includes the step of inserting into the root canal a tapered file having a spiraled scraping edge formed thereon, the scraping edge having a neutral rake angle, the file having a taper of about 0.04% such that, as a sequence of files of the same characteristics but having different tip diameters are employed, the root canal is shaped and cleaned from the coronal area towards the tooth apex in contrast to the traditional endodontic procedure wherein root canals have been shaped and cleaned in the step back method beginning with the root canal apex and progressing towards the coronal area.

Abstract: An improved file for use in the endodontic preparation of a root canal, the file having a handle portion at one end and an active working portion tapering toward the distal end, the active portion having an external surface with at least one helical flute forming a helical scraping edge and, preferably, an axially adjacent land, the working portion having areas or zones of reduced surfaces that contact root canal surfaces during use. Preferably the zones are a plurality of axially spaced zones of reduced diameter so that the total length of file working portion in contact with canal wall surfaces during use is reduced. In manufacturing the improved file, a plurality of axially spaced zones of reduced diameter are formed on the working portion of a conventional file, including helical flutes and lands as desired, wherein the file of the invention includes an undulating external working portion profile.

Abstract: An improved endodontic procedure for preparation of root canals in teeth comprising the use of selected endodontic instruments such as files or burs in a prescribed series of steps. These steps include using a series of successively smaller instruments in a first crown-down procedure, using the instruments in a reverse sequence in a serial step-back procedure, followed by finishing the preparation of the canal with selected instruments in a second crown-down procedure. Conventional root canal files of standard taper or variably-tapered files may be used in the practice of the method.

Abstract: A non-circular endodontic instrument is provided for reduced stress to the tooth and to the cutting instrument during the removal of dentin from a root canal. The non-circular endodontic instrument includes at least one area of non-contact, i.e. one portion of the instrument does not contact and does not cut the dentin material. The non-contact area extends the length of the endodontic instrument, about a portion of the circumference of the instrument, and interrupts a generally circular cutting face of the instrument. This non-contact area reduces stress and provides a place for debris to gather during cutting so as to not interfere with the cutting face, and serves to direct the debris out of the root canal. The endodontic instrument can be D-shaped in cross-section, it could have circumferentially opposing non-contact areas and/or can be elliptical in cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A root canal is sequentially cleaned in sections from the crown to the apex. An opening is first formed into the tooth to provide access into the root canal. The opening is preferably rectified to remove obstructions from fully accessing the anatomical root canal. The pulp material is then sequentially removed from the portion of the root canal above the apical portion of the root canal with a first set of instruments and then from the apical portion with a second set of instruments. Cleaning of the pulp material from the root canal also shapes the root canal to ease filling of the root canal with a filling material. Each instrument comprises a handle connected to a file. Each file has an abrading portion and terminates at a tip. The files used to clean the portion of the root canal above the apical portion have properties which enable the abrading portion of the file to conform to the configuration of the root canal while simultaneously moving the file in a cleaning motion.

Abstract: A finger-mounted dental instrument servicing system is provided, the system including a socket-forming member having a first end of predetermined contour, and a resiliently deformable cushion having a first end of a contour which mimics the contour of socket-forming member's first end. The cushion thus may be provided with a plurality of distinct surface regions, each surface region being configured to receive endodontic files or related instruments of a particular size or type. In this manner, the servicing system may be used both to service the files, and as a dental organizer. A finger mount is attached to the socket-forming member, accommodating use of the system by a wearer without the need for an additional pair of hands.

Abstract: An endodontic measuring kit includes a plurality of user selectable elongated cylindrical diameter measuring rods having graded diameters known to the user for insertion as probes into an endodontic canal wherein the diameter of the natural lower root tip aperture and length of the tooth canal from apical to coronal end are to be determined. The kit also has a plurality of user selectable elongated tapered rods having graded diameters, wherein the tapered rods each have a top cylindrical portion with optional length measurement markings thereon for observing too the depth from the upper coronal crown end to the lower root apical tip aperture.

Abstract: Dental reamers are manufactured from a cylindrical metallic blank (e.g., made of a nickel-titanium alloy) that is moved at a feed speed V.sub.A past a rotary grinding wheel whose disk, of variable diameter, determines a linear speed V.sub.L at which material is removed. The feed speed V.sub.A is greater than 91440 cm/min, while the linear speed V.sub.L is less than 7.62 cm/min.

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. An operative phase corresponds with each section and specific instrumentation is used in each phase. 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 and then from the apical portion 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. Cleaning of the pulp material from the root canal also shapes the root canal to ease filling of the root canal with a filling material.

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: The present invention disclosed herein is directed to improved endodontic dental instruments for extirpating and/or obturating a root canal. The dental instruments of the invention have at least one friction reducing element which assists in the removal of material from a tooth canal and which reduces frictional loads on the instrument during extirpating and obturating procedures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental reamer (2) which tapers right down to its tip (1), of the type including helical slits which, on their sides, have cutting lips for boring out dental canals, in which the characteristics of the cutting conditions are defined by, on the one hand, a cutting angle .alpha. determined by the tangent to the cutting edge at the cutting point and the perpendicular to the surface to be cut at this point and, on the other hand, a clearance angle .beta. determined by the plane of the cutting surface and the tangent to the inactive face of the cutting edge, characterized in that the value of the cutting angle .alpha. is greater than or equal to zero and that of the clearance angle .beta. is greater than zero.

Abstract: A dental or medical instrument containing device includes a container and a supporting material. The supporting material supports an instrument, such as an endodontic file, within the container. A disinfecting solution within the container permeates the supporting material such that a distal insertion end of the instrument is immersed within the disinfecting solution. The disinfecting solution is preferably capable of maintaining the distal insertion end of the instrument in at least an aseptic condition. The supporting material maintains the instrument in an upright position such that the proximal end of the instrument is readily grasped.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an endodontic instrument for preparing root canals in which the cutting surface has an increased taper greater than about 0.06 mm/mm. In the present invention, a plurality of files may be used in which each succeeding file has a minimum diameter substantially equal to the maximum diameter of the preceding file. By using the files of the present invention, a root canal may be prepared using a minimum number of files.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an endodontic instrument by a machining operation is disclosed, and wherein a wire-like rod composed of a titanium alloy is advanced past a rotating grinding wheel at a relatively slow feed rate, with a sufficient depth of cut to remove all of the material on a given surface without over grinding a previously ground surface, and with the grinding wheel rotating at a relatively slow surface speed. The disclosed method is able to efficiently produce endodontic instruments having a high degree of flexibility, high resistance to torsional breakage, and with sharp cutting edges along the working length.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed herein is directed to improved endodontic dental instruments for extirpating and/or obturating a root canal. The dental instruments of the invention have at least one friction reducing element which assists in the removal of material from a tooth canal and which reduces frictional loads on the instrument during extirpating and obturating procedures.

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, rotary cutting motions.

Abstract: An endodontic file assembly includes a noncutting file guide along which a flexible file may run. The guide is first inserted into the root canal anchored at its tip and the file subsequently moved along the guide. Disproportionate forces between the file and inner and outer curvatures of the root canal caused by the natural resilience of the file are thereby reduced to provide for more uniform debridement of the inner walls of the root canal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved endodontic dental instruments for extirpating and enlarging a root canal and methods for use thereof. The dental instruments of the invention include a helical radial land and a helical blade edge spaced from the land on its opposite sides by helical flutes.

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, rotary cutting motions.

Abstract: An endodontic instrument is provided for use in performing root canal procedures and 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. The working portion has a non-uniform taper which accelerates from a proximal end of the instrument to a distal end forming a region of enhanced compliance adjacent the tip.

Abstract: Briefly stated, the present invention provides a kit which facilitates the removal of obstructions, such as broken files, from the root canal of a patient during an endodontic or root canal procedure. The kit includes a trephine sized to be inserted in the root canal and adapted to widen the root canal around the obstruction to expose the obstruction and an obstruction removal tool adapted to engage and mechanically grasp the obstruction to remove the obstruction from the root canal. The obstruction removal tool includes a hollow tube and a plunger slideable within the tube. The hollow tube is sized to be inserted into the root canal a distance sufficient to receive the obstruction within its lumen. A cutout is spaced from the end of the hollow tube, and the hollow tube is slid over the obstruction a distance sufficient to generally align the top of the obstruction with the cutout. A plunger having a beveled end is slid through the hollow tube.

Abstract: The flutes of a drill bit (1) are constituted by helical portions (4) and rectilinear portions (5).

Abstract: A dental reamer having one or more cutting sections and one or more spiral grooves. The dental reamer has at least one cutting edge having a cutting point, characterized in that a tangent to the cutting point tends to superimpose itself on a tangent to a diameter of a circle in which the cutting sections are inscribed, wherein the diameter passes through the cutting point. The invention provides a reaming cut that, in a surprising manner, reduces or even eliminates the spiral displacement (i.e., uncontrolled advancement of the reamer) that results from rotation of the prior-art reamers, while still maintaining an excellent reaming efficacy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic dental tool for use with an ultrasonic transducer, comprises a substantially elongate tool defined by a shaft having a proximal end with a connector for attachment to an ultrasonic transducer, a distal end having a tip configured for performing a dental procedure, a portion of straight cylindrical wall from the tip inward toward the proximal end, and a contra-angle portion of substantially uniform diameter on the proximal end, and a uniform gradual tapered portion intermediate the distal end and the proximal end.

Abstract: An endodontic root canal file having an inner tapered core and a plurality of cutting sections lying between the core and an outer tapered envelope, each progressively decreasing in size from the proximate end to the distal end of the file. Each cutting section of the file having an intermediate cylindrical section extending radially outwardly from the core, a frusto-conical distal section tapering inwardly from the cylindrical section to the core and a planar annular proximate end surface section extending radially inwardly from the proximate end of the intermediate cylindrical section portion to the distal end of the next proximally adjacent cutting section. A plurality of grooves extend longitudinally and radially inwardly through the distal, intermediate and proximal sections of each cutting section and define non-helical flutes which provide distally and radially inwardly inclined cutting edges that lie in planes through the axis of the file and perpendicular to the circular circumference of the file.

Abstract: A set of endodontic cutting instruments, each having handles and each having a different working tip diameter incrementally increasing in size from one instrument to the next. The set includes a first smaller standard size endodontic cutting instrument having a grasping end with a first color according to a standard color code, a second larger standard size endodontic cutting instrument having a grasping end with a second color according to the standard color code and a non-standard intermediate size endodontic instrument having a size between the first smaller standard size and the second larger standard size and having a grasping end with a color combination including a first portion having the first standard color corresponding to the first smaller standard size and a second portion having the second standard color corresponding to the second larger standard size. Nonstandard taper portions on the cutting instruments are provided to smooth stair step root canal cavities.

Abstract: A cutting element for an endodontic tool is made from an elongated member having a plurality of notches formed along the length of the member. The member is twisted into a helical pattern. The twisted member defines a cutting element which combines the best properties of a conventional dental file, a reamer, and a Hedstrom file, in a single instrument. The number and depth of the notches can be varied, to control the flexibility of the cutting element. Thus, the instrument can be made of a hard metal, such as stainless steel, but the instrument can still be made flexible by proper choice of the dimensions of the notches. The shape of the notches can also be varied to provide an instrument which cuts only during a "push" stroke or a "pull" stroke. The invention saves time and reduces the cost of dental procedures, by providing a tool which can be used in place of three tools of the prior art.

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, rotary cutting motions.

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, rotary cutting motions.

Abstract: An absorbent dental point is provided with a scale of graduated depth indicators, arranged in a manner such that the depth to which the tip of the dental point has been inserted into a root canal may be quickly and reliably measured each and every time a subsequent dental point is inserted in the root canal in the course of a root canal procedure.

Abstract: An obturator for use in filling an endodontically prepared root canal in a tooth formed as an elongated body having a handle portion and a shaft, the handle portion being configured for grasping by a practitioner whereby the shaft may be inserted into a root canal, the shaft tapering from the handle to the shaft distal end, the shaft having an exterior surface having a generally linear groove therein extending from near the handle to the shaft distal end, or at least adjacent the shaft distal end, the groove providing: (a) a channel for flow of excess filler material as the shaft is positioned into a prepared root canal; (b) increased flexibility of the shaft, and (c) a passageway that will accept a slender, tapered metallic retrieval tool, such as a typical endodontic file, to assist in the removal of the shaft from a root canal.