97 results about "Endodontic instrument" patented technology

A fluteless endodontic file is provided, formed from a tapered shaft of material having a prismatic shape generally defined by three or more side surfaces and three or more interposed corners. A plurality of notches are cut into one or more corners defining cutting surfaces, points and / or edges. The notched cutting surfaces are formed such that the file, when rotated and / or reciprocated within a root canal, effectively cuts / debrides hard tissue (known in the art as dentin) as well as soft tissue, thus, forming an optimal canal shape. The cutting surfaces are also preferably formed at an angle to the centerline of the instrument to provide optimal cutting efficiency and material removal. The fluteless file design exhibits increased efficacy, with less tendency to bind and break within the root canal and also significantly reduces manufacturing and capital equipment costs.

Precipitation hardenable stainless steel endodontic files and methods for their manufacture, wherein the most preferred precipitation hardenable stainless steel is 17-4PH and aging is preferably not one of the manufacturing steps. Precipitation hardenable stainless steels used in embodiments of this invention are iron-chromium-nickel grades that have the desired properties of flexibility, strength, hardness, wear resistance, stiffness, resistance to permanent deformation, resistance to variable torque, and biocompatibility for endodontic files.

A method for manufacturing a nonlinear superelastic file comprising the steps of: providing a superelastic file having a shaft and a file axis; providing a fixture including a file groove being defined by one or more displacement members, the file groove configured for receiving the shaft; inserting at least a portion of the shaft into the fixture along the file groove, the portion of the shaft including a first portion of the shaft; contacting the first portion of the shaft with a first displacement member of the one or more displacement members such that the first portion of the shaft is displaced from the file axis thereby forming a first offset portion of the shaft; heating the portion of the shaft while inserted in the fixture to a temperature of at least about 300° C. for a time period of at least about 1 minute to shape-set the portion of the shaft thereby forming a shape-set nonlinear file.

An endodontic instrument for root canal treatment is provided having a working portion manipulated by a handle and a connection assembly for attachment with an electronic apex locator. The connection assembly allows the electronic apex locator to be connected to the instrument at or through the coronal end of the handle. Preferably, the connection assembly includes a male / female assembly located within or on the surface the file handle.

The present invention is directed to a dental composition, and specifically to an improved composition for endodontic instruments useful for filling root canals or sealing.

A method of manufacturing an endodontic instrument using an electrochemical (ECG) grinding process. An instrument blank is formed from stock material, and an electric current is applied between an electrically conductive grinding wheel, acting as a cathode, and the instrument blank, acting as an anode. A continuous stream of electrolyte fluid, a conductive aqueous solution, is applied at an interface between the grinding wheel and the instrument blank, the electrolyte fluid having an associated volume and pressure. The instrument blank is advanced past the electrically conductive grinding wheel to remove material from the instrument blank to form at least one cutting flute. The electric current applied between the grinding wheel and the instrument blank is reduced, and the instrument blank is advanced past the grinding wheel again to form a finish surface, e.g., a sharp cutting edge, on the at least one cutting flute. The process may be repeated to form an endodontic instrument having a plurality of cutting flutes. The cutting flutes may be helically or non-helically shaped. The instrument blank is formed of an electrically conductive material, such as nickel titanium or stainless steel. In one variation, the electric current may be eliminated entirely during the final finishing pass. The volume and pressure of the electrolyte may be varied. Endodontic instruments formed by the method of the present invention are also disclosed.

A method for manufacturing a nonlinear superelastic file comprising the steps of: providing a superelastic file having a shaft and a file axis; providing a fixture including a file groove being defined by one or more displacement members, the file groove configured for receiving the shaft; inserting at least a portion of the shaft into the fixture along the file groove, the portion of the shaft including a first portion of the shaft; contacting the first portion of the shaft with a first displacement member of the one or more displacement members such that the first portion of the shaft is displaced from the file axis thereby forming a first offset portion of the shaft; heating the portion of the shaft while inserted in the fixture to a temperature of at least about 300° C. for a time period of at least about 1 minute to shape-set the portion of the shaft thereby forming a shape-set nonlinear file.