Dental and medical instruments comprising titanium
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for manufacturing or modifying a dental instrument or device, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a dental instrument or device including an elongated shank comprising a superelastic nickel titanium alloy, and(b) after step (a), heat-treating the entire instrument or device at a temperature from 400°
C up to but not equal to the melting point of the superelastic nickel titanium alloy,wherein the heat-treated instrument or device has an angle greater than 10 degrees of permanent deformation after torque at 45°
of flexion when tested in accordance with ISO Standard 3630-1.
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Abstract
Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25° C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.
38 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing or modifying a dental instrument or device, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a dental instrument or device including an elongated shank comprising a superelastic nickel titanium alloy, and (b) after step (a), heat-treating the entire instrument or device at a temperature from 400°
C up to but not equal to the melting point of the superelastic nickel titanium alloy,wherein the heat-treated instrument or device has an angle greater than 10 degrees of permanent deformation after torque at 45°
of flexion when tested in accordance with ISO Standard 3630-1. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification