Porous Dye-Impregnated Inserts for Deep Root Canal Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current root canal procedures face challenges such as the risk of bacterial reinfection due to incomplete disinfection, lengthy treatment times, and lack of non-invasive methods for post-operative flare-ups, as well as limitations in photodynamic therapy techniques like limited light penetration and dye access within the tooth canal.
Innovation Solution
A bactericidal insert with a porous carrier impregnated with photosensitive dye is introduced into the tooth canal, which can be dried or remain wet, and activated by external light to produce singlet oxygen for bacterial killing, allowing for wider disinfection and non-invasive treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If photodynamic therapy is used with liquid dye flooding, then bacterial killing effect is achieved, but light penetration is limited and dye access to full depth of canal is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is divided into multiple segments or zones along its length, with each segment containing photosensitive dye that can be independently activated by light. This segmentation allows light to activate dye at different depths sequentially or simultaneously, overcoming the limitation of limited light penetration depth while maintaining reliable bacterial killing throughout the entire canal length.
Solution Approach 2:
The photosensitive dye is pre-loaded into the insert structure before insertion into the canal. The insert is designed with reservoirs, channels, or porous structures that hold the dye in advance, ensuring immediate and complete access to the full depth of the canal upon insertion, eliminating the need for gradual dye flooding and ensuring complete dye distribution throughout the treatment area.
2Reliability
If liquid dye is flooded into the tooth canal, then photodynamic therapy is activated, but the procedure is messy and stains teeth and gums
Solution Approach 1:
The insert employs a encapsulated structure with flexible walls or thin film barriers that contain the photosensitive dye during insertion and positioning. These barriers prevent dye leakage and staining of surrounding tissues until the insert is properly positioned, at which point controlled release mechanisms activate the dye only where needed, eliminating messiness and unwanted staining while maintaining effective antibacterial treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed as a single-use disposable device that is discarded after one treatment procedure. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning and removal procedures, prevents cross-contamination, and ensures that any residual dye remains contained within the disposable structure rather than staining teeth or gums during subsequent procedures.
3Illumination intensity
If fiber optic cable is inserted into canal to irradiate dye, then light activation is achieved, but light delivery is limited to size of optic fiber and does not reach crevices
Solution Approach 1:
The insert acts as an intermediary carrier that distributes light activation capability throughout the entire canal volume. Instead of relying on a single fiber optic cable that physically cannot reach crevices, the insert contains multiple light sources or light-conducting elements distributed along its length, with each segment serving as an intermediary to deliver light to adjacent areas including crevices and irregular surfaces that a single cable cannot access.
4Reliability
If multiple visits with anesthesia and drilling are required, then thorough disinfection is achieved, but treatment time increases and patient compliance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is designed to provide continuous photodynamic therapy activation over an extended period. The photosensitive dye remains activated or can be re-activated multiple times within the canal, providing continuous bacterial killing action throughout the treatment period. This continuous action achieves thorough disinfection in a single visit rather than requiring multiple separate visits, reducing total treatment time and improving patient compliance while maintaining complete disinfection effectiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables effective bacterial killing within the tooth canal, reduces treatment time, and allows for non-invasive, repeated disinfection, potentially eliminating the need for invasive retreatment and reducing post-operative complications.
Implementation Method 1
irradiate the photosensitive dye with light from within the canal to activate the dye to release free radicals, such as singlet oxygen, which is known to have an anti-microbial or antibacterial effect
Data Source
AI summary
A bactericidal insert for introduction into a canal in a tooth during a root canal procedure is provided, along with a method of producing the insert and a method of using the insert in a root canal procedure. The insert is in the form of a carrier having a plurality of pores or interstices. The carrier had been impregnated with a liquid photosensitive dye so that the dye entered the pores or interstices and then the carrier with the liquid photosensitive dye forms a dye-impregnated carrier. The dye-impregnated carrier is configured and adapted for insertion within the canal of the tooth. The carrier, if dried, is adapted to receive a wetting agent to dissolve the dye therein to produce a liquefied dye, which is activatable to produce singlet oxygen within the canal when it is irradiated by light from outside of the tooth.