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US 7,125,254 B2Granted
Apparatus and method for root canal obturation
OwnerRandall Rex Calvertinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to root canal obturation in a tooth. In one embodiment, a plug is positioned in a root canal and bonded to the root canal by applying a light-curing adhesive to the canal and exposing the plug to a light source to bond the plug to the root canal. In another embodiment, a carrier is disclosed having an optically transmissive plug portion for insertion into the canal. In still another embodiment, the plug portion of the carrier includes an optical fiber to transmit light from a light source into the plug portion. In still yet another embodiment, a filler material is heated and injected into the root canal in a semi-liquid state and exposed to light to cure the adhesive.
Claims44
A plug for implantation into an endodontically prepared root canal of a tooth, comprising:
- an elongated body comprised of a biologically compatible, resilient material comprised of a phosphorescent compound, the elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end and having a length to allow the distal end to be positioned adjacent to an apical portion of the tooth when the body is inserted in the root canal of the tooth, the body being further suitably provided in more than one predetermined configuration to permit the body to substantially abut the walls of the root canal of the tooth and extend to the apical portion of the root canal when implanted, the plug being further comprised of a material that is optically transmissive and fully polymerized prior to insertion into the root canal of the tooth.
A plug for implantation into an endodontically prepared root canal of a tooth, comprising:
- an elongated body comprised of a biologically compatible, resilient material comprised of a radioisotope having a relatively short half-life, the elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end and having a length to allow the distal end to be positioned adjacent to an apical portion of the tooth when the body is inserted in the root canal of the tooth, the body being further suitably provided in more than one predetermined configuration to permit the body to substantially abut the walls of the root canal of the tooth and extend to the apical portion of the root canal when implanted, the plug being further comprised of a material that is optically transmissive and fully polymerized prior to insertion into the root canal of the tooth.
A carrier for root canal obturation in an endodontically prepared tooth, comprising:
- an elongated plug portion comprised of a biologically implantable, resilient material including a phosphorescent compound, the elongated plug portion having a distal end and a proximal end and having a length to allow the distal end to be positioned adjacent to an apical portion of the tooth when the plug portion is implanted in the root canal of the tooth, the distal end extending to the apical portion and substantially abutting the walls of the root canal when the plug is implanted, the plug portion being further configured in a plurality of predetermined and standardized shapes that are adapted conform to the contours of the root canal, and comprised of a material that is optically transmissive and fully polymerized prior to insertion into the root canal of the tooth;
- and
- an elongated support portion having a first end coupled to the proximal end of the plug portion and an opposing second end.
A carrier for root canal obturation in an endodontically prepared tooth, comprising:
- an elongated plug portion comprised of a biologically implantable, resilient material including a radioisotope having a relatively short half-life, the elongated plug portion having a distal end and a proximal end and having a length to allow the distal end to be positioned adjacent to an apical portion of the tooth when the plug portion is implanted in the root canal of the tooth, the distal end extending to the apical portion and substantially abutting the walls of the root canal when the plug is implanted, the plug portion being further configured in a plurality of predetermined and standardized shapes that are adapted conform to the contours of the root canal, and comprised of a material that is optically transmissive and fully polymerized prior to insertion into the root canal of the tooth;
- and
- an elongated support portion having a first end coupled to the proximal end of the plug portion and an opposing second end.
A method for obturating a root canal passage in a tooth, comprising:
- applying a light-curing adhesive to the root canal passage;
- heating an optically transmissive plug to soften an exterior surface of the plug;
- implanting the plug in the root canal passage having the plug being provided in more than one predetermined standardized configuration to permit the body to abut internal surfaces of the root canal passage and extend to an apical portion of the root canal when implanted, the plug being in a fully polymerized condition prior to implanting;
- and
- exposing a portion of the plug to a light source to cure the adhesive.
2 more elements
A method for obturating a root canal passage in a tooth, comprising:
- applying an adhesive to the root canal passage;
- inserting an optically transmissive plug comprised of a phosphorescent material into the root canal passage, the plug being in a fully polymerized condition prior to inserting the plug into the root canal passage and extending to an apical portion of the root canal, the plug abutting internal surfaces of the root canal passage, the plug further being provided in more than one predetermined standardized configuration to permit the body to conform to a contour formed within the root canal passage by a corresponding endodontic rotary instrument;
- and
- curing the adhesive by exposing the optically transmissive plug to a source of light to induce photoluminescence.
1 more element
A method for obturating a root canal passage in a tooth, comprising:
- fusing an optically transmissive material to form a semi-liquid mass of the material;
- applying a light-curing adhesive to the root canal passage;
- injecting the semi-liquid mass into the root canal passage to form an obturating body within the root canal;
- and
- exposing a portion of the obturating body to a light source to cure the adhesive.
2 more elements
An apparatus for endodontically treating a tooth, comprising:
- an adhesive compound that includes a selected photocatalyst operable to promote polymerization of the compound upon exposure to light having a specified wavelength;
- and
- a tapered plug configured to be implanted in a root canal of the tooth that is uniformly comprised of a flexible, resilient and optically transmissible polymeric material including a phosphorescent compound, the tapered plug corresponding to a taper formed in the root canal by a selected endodontic rotary instrument to permit the plug to occupy substantially an entire volume of the root canal when implanted so that a distal end of the plug extends at least proximate to an apical foramen of the root canal, the adhesive compound adapted to be interposed between the plug and an interior portion of the root canal to sealably secure the plug to the interior portion of the canal upon exposure to the light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.