A device for disinfecting and/or sterilization of a dental cavity includes: an electrode pair that extends into the cavity to provide current along a portion of the cavity; and a controller that sends controlled electrical energy to the cavity via current flowing between the electrodes when located in the cavity, thereby to provide electrical energy for disinfection and/or sterilization.

A device for disinfecting and/or sterilization of a dental cavity includes: an electrode pair that extends into the cavity to provide current along a portion of the cavity; and a controller that sends controlled electrical energy to the cavity via current flowing between the electrodes when located in the cavity, thereby to provide electrical energy for disinfection and/or sterilization.

A drill limit system includes a holder having drill stops removably coupled thereto and configured to receive a drill bit therethrough, and a platform coupled to the holder and configured to engage a tip end of the drill bits when received through the drill stops, wherein the holder and platform are movable relative to each other so that the position of the drill stops relative to the drill bits may be selectively varied. A method for attaching drill stops to a drill bit includes providing a holder and a platform movable relative to each other, the holder having a plurality of drill stops removably coupled thereto, inserting a plurality of drill bits through respective drill stops, moving the holder and platform relative to each other to select a desired height of the drill stops on the bits, and engaging the drill stops to the drill bits at the selected height.

A set of drill bits and/or burrs for attaching to a hand piece and fitting into an access guide during endodontic access cavity preparation is provided. The drill bits are optionally grouped into two types: a high speed, friction grip attachment type drill bit and a slow speed, latch attachment type drill bit. Each of the drill bits has a different longitudinal length for performing different functions during operation procedures. A method of performing an endodontic access cavity preparation with the set of drill bits is also provided.

A set of drill bits and/or burrs for attaching to a hand piece and fitting into an access guide during endodontic access cavity preparation is provided. The drill bits are optionally grouped into two types: a high speed, friction grip attachment type drill bit and a slow speed, latch attachment type drill bit. Each of the drill bits has a different longitudinal length for performing different functions during operation procedures. A method of performing an endodontic access cavity preparation with the set of drill bits is also provided.

A dental treating apparatus according to the present invention includes: a hand piece; a head unit; a driving unit; a resistor for load detection; a load comparing unit; and a control unit. The hand piece drivably holds a cutting tool on the head unit. The driving unit drives the cutting tool in a normal rotation direction or in a reverse rotation direction. The resistor for load detection detects a load applied to the cutting tool. The load comparing unit compares the detected load and a reference load each time driving for rotating the cutting tool in the reverse rotation direction by a predetermined rotation angle is performed. The control unit controls the driving unit based on a result of comparison by the load comparing unit.

A dental treating apparatus according to the present invention includes: a hand piece; a head unit; a driving unit; a resistor for load detection; a load comparing unit; and a control unit. The hand piece drivably holds a cutting tool on the head unit. The driving unit drives the cutting tool in a normal rotation direction or in a reverse rotation direction. The resistor for load detection detects a load applied to the cutting tool. The load comparing unit compares the detected load and a reference load each time driving for rotating the cutting tool in the reverse rotation direction by a predetermined rotation angle is performed. The control unit controls the driving unit based on a result of comparison by the load comparing unit.

Examples of apparatus, methods, and compositions for endodontic treatments are described. The apparatus can include a fluid platform configured to substantially retain fluid in a tooth chamber during treatment. The fluid platform can help maintain fluid circulation in the tooth chamber as fluid flows into and out of the tooth chamber. The apparatus can also include a pressure wave generator configured to generate acoustic waves that can be used for cleaning root canals and tooth surfaces in the tooth chamber. Examples of pressure wave generators include a liquid jet, an electromagnetic energy delivery device, and an ultrasonic device. The fluid can include antiseptic or antibacterial solutions to assist in tooth cleaning. The fluid may be degassed to have a reduced dissolved gas content (compared to non-degassed fluids used in endodontic treatments), which may improve the effectiveness of the pressure wave generation or the cleaning.

A porous material for insertion cleaning of instruments is provided, such porous material including an at least partially open-cell foam body and a surface configured to enable an instrument having contaminants to be inserted into the body. The body may be configured to substantially grip the instrument to remove a substantial portion of the contaminants from the instrument.

A dental wedge (10) includes symmetrical sides (22, 24). The dental wedge (10) includes a restorative tooth side (24), the restorative tooth side (24) having a generally longitudinally extending planar wall (44) defined in part by an upper edge (34) and a lower edge (42), the planar wall (44) is inclined, wherein the planar wall (44) extends from the lower edge (42) upward and inward. The planar wall (44) includes an upper inclined surface (46) and a lower inclined surface (48), the planar wall (44) having a concave curve extending in a longitudinal direction, the upper inclined surface (46) generally defining the restorative tooth side (24). The wedge (10) further includes an adjacent tooth side (22), the adjacent tooth (22) side having a generally longitudinally extending planar leg (50), the planar leg (50) extends from the lower inclined surface (48) of the planar wall (44) at a location between the upper edge (34) and the lower edge (42), the planar wall (44) and planar leg (50) defining an inverted v-shaped channel (36) extending longitudinally, the planar leg (50) includes a lower edge (40) having a recessed area (30).