Swaggering Endodontic Instruments

Abstract

Endodontic instruments are described which have at least a section with a center of mass offset from an axis of rotation so that when the instrument is rotated, the section bends away from the axis of rotation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 804,084, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 402,207, filed Apr. 10, 2006, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 669,409, filed Apr. 8, 2005. The disclosure of the prior applications is considered part of and is incorporated by reference in the disclosure of this application.BACKGROUND[0002]The present invention relates to endodontic instruments.[0003]Endodontic instruments can be used for cleaning and enlarging the endodontic cavity space (“ECS”), also known as the root canal system of a human tooth. FIG. 1A shows an example of an unprepared root canal 102 of a tooth 104. As can be seen, the unprepared root canal 102 is usually a narrow channel that runs through the central portion of the root of the tooth. Cleaning and enlargement of the ECS can be necessitated by the death or nec...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for preparing an endodontic device with swaggering endodontic instruments for preparing an endodontic cavity space. The endodontic device has a tapered body with a tip end and a shank end, and a working surface between the tip end and the shank end. The device has at least one cutting surface along its outer diameter that is configured to remove material when the device is rotated within a canal of the material. The device can be flexible and its body can bend away from the axis of rotation when the tip of the device is bound at a fixed position. The device can also have different cross-sectional geometries and a centroid of mass that is offset from the axis of rotation. The technical effects of the invention include improved flexibility, better access to the root canal, and improved cutting efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

The root canal system of a human tooth is often narrow, curved and calcified, and can be extremely difficult to negotiate or clean.

Indeed, the conventional endodontic or root canal instruments currently available are frequently inadequate in the complete removal of the pulp and the efficient enlargement of the ECS.

Furthermore, they are usually predisposed to breakage, causing further destruction to the tooth.

Broken instruments are usually difficult, if not impossible to remove, often necessitating the removal of the tooth.

Injury to the tooth, which occurs as the result of a frank perforation or alteration of the natural anatomy of the ECS, can also lead to failure of the root canal and tooth loss.

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