A dental instrument for use with a dental handpiece cleans and disinfects tooth root canals. The instrument includes a shaft and connector for releasable attachment to the handpiece, the shaft including at least a tip end, a distal portion approximate to the connector, and at least two radial protrusions extending along length of the shaft with a longitudinal groove extending between the at least two radial protrusions.

An endodontic instrument of this disclosure has less torque strength but greater flexibility and enlarged chip space compared to the prior art. In embodiments. only two flutes are spiraled about the instrument's length L to form two non-landed cutting edges between D2 and D16, the cutting edges merging to form a land at about D1. The tip end is rounded. The helical angle α increases from the handle end toward the tip end, a number of spirals per unit length being at least two times greater toward the tip end than toward the handle end, a cross-section of the length L consisting of two convex portions intersecting at each cutting edge or a wave-shape having one concave portion and one convex portion intersecting at each cutting edge, the cross-section occupying less total area than would a same size endodontic instrument having a triangular cross-section and providing greater chip space.

An endodontic instrument of this disclosure has less torque strength but greater flexibility and enlarged chip space compared to the prior art. In embodiments. only two flutes are spiraled about the instrument's length L to form two non-landed cutting edges between D2 and D16, the cutting edges merging to form a land at about D1. The tip end is rounded. The helical angle α increases from the handle end toward the tip end, a number of spirals per unit length being at least two times greater toward the tip end than toward the handle end, a cross-section of the length L consisting of two convex portions intersecting at each cutting edge or a wave-shape having one concave portion and one convex portion intersecting at each cutting edge, the cross-section occupying less total area than would a same size endodontic instrument having a triangular cross-section and providing greater chip space.

Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25° C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.

Endodontic instruments for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth are disclosed. In one form, the instruments include an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank comprises a titanium alloy, and the shank is prepared by heat-treating the shank at a temperature above 25° C. in an atmosphere consisting essentially of a gas unreactive with the shank. In another form, the endodontic instruments have an elongate shank having a cutting edge extending from a distal end of the shank along an axial length of the shank. The shank consists essentially of a titanium alloy selected from alpha-titanium alloys, beta-titanium alloys, and alpha-beta-titanium alloys. The instruments solve the problems encountered when cleaning and enlarging a curved root canal.

Dental treatments and methods, including treating gum disease, using peroxide gel and a viscous antibacterial agent including tetracycline to chemically debride and curettage a treatment area. Treatments and methods include non-surgically scaling and root plaining the treatment area with dental tools such as periodontal scalers and/or curettes during the active period of the chemical debridement. The working surfaces of dental tools can be sharpened for optimal root and tooth surfacing during treatment. Treatment can include instructions for co-therapy by or on behalf of treatment subjects between visits and for maintenance care.

Dental treatments and methods, including treating gum disease, using peroxide gel and a viscous antibacterial agent including tetracycline to chemically debride and curettage a treatment area. Treatments and methods include non-surgically scaling and root plaining the treatment area with dental tools such as periodontal scalers and/or curettes during the active period of the chemical debridement. The working surfaces of dental tools can be sharpened for optimal root and tooth surfacing during treatment. Treatment can include instructions for co-therapy by or on behalf of treatment subjects between visits and for maintenance care.

A dental tool includes: a hand piece; an endodontic hand file; a stopper, wherein the stopper comprises a first hole for receiving a portion of the endodontic hand file; and a mechanical motion module that imparts mechanical motion to the endodontic hand file. A dental system includes: a hand piece; an endodontic file; and a stopper comprising at least two holes, wherein a first hole receives a portion of the endodontic file, and wherein a second hole receives a portion of a first tube for delivering a liquid to the endodontic file. The dental system can further include a second tube partially contained in a third hole of the stopper for suctioning liquids from a patient's mouth. The dental system can also further include a mechanical motion module.

A dental tool includes: a hand piece; an endodontic hand file; a stopper, wherein the stopper comprises a first hole for receiving a portion of the endodontic hand file; and a mechanical motion module that imparts mechanical motion to the endodontic hand file. A dental system includes: a hand piece; an endodontic file; and a stopper comprising at least two holes, wherein a first hole receives a portion of the endodontic file, and wherein a second hole receives a portion of a first tube for delivering a liquid to the endodontic file. The dental system can further include a second tube partially contained in a third hole of the stopper for suctioning liquids from a patient's mouth. The dental system can also further include a mechanical motion module.

Systems and methods for eradicating biofilms by killing bacteria within a biofilm, degrading the matrix and removing biofilm debris are disclosed herein. The disclosed subject matter provides techniques for administering a suspension of H.sub.2O.sub.2 and iron oxide nanoparticles to substantially eradicate bacteria within a biofilm matrix and degrade the bio film matrix, actuating the iron oxide nanoparticles for assembly into biohybrid robots suitable for removal of biofilm debris, and moving the biohybrid robots to remove the bio film debris from accessible or enclosed surfaces. In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter can include embedding iron oxide nanoparticles in a hydrogel to form a soft robotic structure, administering the soft robotic structure to a biofilm-covered location, and magnetizing the soft robot structure to substantially eradicate bacteria within a biofilm matrix, degrade the biofilm matrix, and remove biofilm debris from enclosed surfaces.