Endodontic Files and Obturator Devices and Methods of Manufacturing Same

• US 20110129793A1
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guidance Endodontics LLC
• Original Assignee: Guidance Endodontics LLC
• Inventors: Goodis, Charles J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,052,173 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/81
• 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, wherein at least a portion of the obturator extending from a tip region to a shank region has an ovoid cross-section.

2. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, comprising a body defining a taper, and wherein a rate of taper along at least a first portion of the body relative to a second portion of the body from the tip region towards the shank region, is one of constant, variable, decreasing, increasing, and zero.

3. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 2, wherein the first and second obturator portions are of equal length.

4. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 2, wherein the first and second obturator portions are of unequal lengths.

5. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 2, wherein the obturator includes at least three different rates of taper.

6. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 2, 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.

7. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 6, wherein a rate of taper closer to the tip 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.

8. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 6, wherein the rate of taper closer to the shank 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.

9. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, wherein the obturator is comprised of a material containing gutta-percha.

10. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, wherein the obturator is comprised of a material containing rubber.

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

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

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

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

15. The endodontic obturator recited in claim 1, wherein the obturator is comprised of a material containing a resin.