Endodontic files and obturator devices and methods of manufacturing same

• US 10,052,173 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guidance Endodontics LLC
• Original Assignee: Guidance Endodontics LLC
• Inventors: Goodis, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEWIS, RALPH A
• Application Number:
  US13/016,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20110129793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,762 Days
• Field of Search: 433 81, 433102, 433224
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/42 Files for root canals; Handgrips or guiding means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/44 Means for controlling working depth, e.g. supports or boxes with depth-gauging means, stop positioners or files with adjustably-mounted handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 5/50 Implements for filling root canals; Methods or instruments for medication of tooth nerve channels

Abstract

An endodontic file, or a series of endodontic files, and an endodontic obturator or series of obturators, and methods of manufacturing same. Regarding the endodontic files, they may include a file body extending from a tip region to a shank region, at least one helical flute extending from the tip region towards the shank region. Each helical flute may have an up-sharp cutting edge without a land. For one such set of endodontic files, there is included at least a first and a second file, each one of the files having a tip and a shank, the first file having a tip size that is substantially the same as a tip size of the second file, wherein the first file has a different taper configuration relative to the taper configuration of the second file. The taper configurations of each one of the first and second files include at least two different rates of taper, the taper configurations of each one of the first and second files arranged such that at least one rate of taper closer to the shank of the file is smaller than at least one rate of taper closer to a tip of the file.

Claims

1. An endodontic obturator, comprising:

a tip region at a distal end of the obturator;

a shank region at a proximal end of the obturator;

at least one obturator portion between the tip region and the shank region, the at least one obturator portion configured to at least partially enter a root canal of a tooth over its length and comprising a body defining a taper; and

a material layer containing gutta-percha, rubber, or resin applied to the body;

wherein the at least one obturator portion includes, in a direction from the tip region towards the shank region, a first tapered obturator portion, a second tapered obturator portion, and a third tapered obturator portion,

wherein each of the first tapered obturator portion, the second tapered obturator portion, and the third tapered obturator portion are tapered in a longitudinal direction of the body and have a solid cross section throughout a width of the obturator,

wherein respective rates of taper along respective portions of the body differ between the first tapered obturator portion, the second tapered obturator portion, and the third tapered obturator portion,

wherein the different rates of taper along each of the first tapered obturator portion, the second tapered obturator portion, and the third tapered obturator portion relative to each other are one of variable, decreasing, and increasing,

wherein the first tapered obturator portion, the second tapered obturator portion, and the third tapered obturator portion are of equal length, and each tapered obturator portion includes only one rate of taper, and

wherein the first tapered obturator portion is adjacent to the second tapered obturator portion and the rate of taper for the first tapered obturator portion is greater than the rate of taper for the second tapered obturator portion, and the second tapered obturator portion is adjacent to the third tapered obturator portion and the rate of taper for the second tapered obturator portion is greater than the rate of taper for the third tapered obturator portion.

2. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, wherein a tip size of the obturator is selected from the group consisting of 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55 and 0.60 mm.

3. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 2, wherein the rate of taper of the first tapered obturator portion closer to the tip region is selected from the group consisting of 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, and 0.10 mm/mm or less.

4. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 2, wherein the rate of taper of the second tapered obturator portion closer to the shank region is selected from the group consisting of 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.10 mm/mm or less.

5. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, wherein the obturator is comprised of a polymer.

6. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, wherein the obturator has a handle that is larger than the shank region.

7. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, wherein the obturator has a matte finish.

8. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, wherein the obturator has a smooth finish.

9. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one obturator portion has an ovoid cross-section.