초록 ▼

A root canal is sequentially cleaned in sections from the crown to the apex by dividing it into three sections including an operative coronal portion, an operative middle portion and an apical portion. After an opening is formed into the tooth to provide access into the root canal, the opening is pr

A root canal is sequentially cleaned in sections from the crown to the apex by dividing it into three sections including an operative coronal portion, an operative middle portion and an apical portion. After an opening is formed into the tooth to provide access into the root canal, the opening is preferably rectified to remove obstructions so that the anatomical root canal can be fully accessed. The pulp material is then sequentially removed from the portion of the root canal above the apical portion of the root canal with a set of instruments. An instrument may be used having a file with abrasive material on only its upper portion for aggresive abrading. The apical portion is then preferably cleaned with an irrigator or alternatively with another set of instruments. An optional set of instruments can also be used to improve the access into the apical portion such that irrigants can be delivered to the apical portion. Cleaning of the pulp material from the root canal also shapes the root canal to ease filling of the root canal with a filling material. The root canal preparation and shaping are completed while maintaining the original anatomy of the root canal. Each instrument comprises a handle connected to a file. Each file has an abrading portion and terminates at a tip. The files used to clean the portion of the root canal above the apical portion have properties which enable the abrading portion of the file to conform to the configuration of the root canal while simultaneously moving the file in a cleaning motion. Stops may be used with the instruments.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for anatomical cleaning of the operative coronal portion and the operative middle portion of an operative root canal in a tooth in preparation for cleaning the apical root portion of the operative root canal, the method comprising:exposing the root canal by removing a portion of the toot

1. A method for anatomical cleaning of the operative coronal portion and the operative middle portion of an operative root canal in a tooth in preparation for cleaning the apical root portion of the operative root canal, the method comprising:exposing the root canal by removing a portion of the tooth at a crown thereof and by removing the top of the pulp chamber; obtaining at least one endodontic instrument having a file with an abrading portion for removing pulp material, the file having a length corresponding to at least the combined length of the operative coronal portiona and the operative middle portion; positioning a stop on the file of the endodontic instrument to limit the file to insertion into the operative coronal portion and the operative middle portion; and removing and cleaning essentially all pulp material from the operative coronal portion and the operative middle portion by flexing the file to urge the abrading portion of the instrument against root canal surfaces within the operative middle portion as the instrument is rotated and moved in a cleaning motion in conformance with the anatomical shape of the operative middle portion by following the contours of the operative middle portion as a guide for movement of the instrument, and without significantly extending the file of the instrument into the apical root portion.