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.

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.

A method and an arrangement for the cleaning of a circumferentially closed canal using a light guide conducting a laser beam, with the entry of the laser beam into the light guide being interrupted when the free end of the light guide is outside of the canal and/or the movement of the light guide within the canal is monitored and if there is no movement or the movement is below a first threshold value then a signal is triggered and/or the laser radiation is turned off or its output is reduced. The turning off of the laser radiation or its reducing is controlled in dependency of at least one signal change and/or a second threshold and/or a signal change relative to the second threshold determined during at least one course of time starting before and including the entry of the light guide into the canal.

A method and an arrangement for the cleaning of a circumferentially closed canal using a light guide conducting a laser beam, with the entry of the laser beam into the light guide being interrupted when the free end of the light guide is outside of the canal and/or the movement of the light guide within the canal is monitored and if there is no movement or the movement is below a first threshold value then a signal is triggered and/or the laser radiation is turned off or its output is reduced. The turning off of the laser radiation or its reducing is controlled in dependency of at least one signal change and/or a second threshold and/or a signal change relative to the second threshold determined during at least one course of time starting before and including the entry of the light guide into the canal.

In a method and system for performing a treatment on a tooth, ultrasonic energy is generated and transmitted by an ultrasonic instrument to a fluid located in the interior of the tooth. The amplitude and frequency of the ultrasonic energy causes inertial cavitation of gas vesicles located in bacteria present in the fluid to assist in cleaning, disinfecting, and/or delivering a payload to the fluid and interior of the tooth but is below the safety limit for ultrasonic imaging.

In a method and system for performing a treatment on a tooth, ultrasonic energy is generated and transmitted by an ultrasonic instrument to a fluid located in the interior of the tooth. The amplitude and frequency of the ultrasonic energy causes inertial cavitation of gas vesicles located in bacteria present in the fluid to assist in cleaning, disinfecting, and/or delivering a payload to the fluid and interior of the tooth but is below the safety limit for ultrasonic imaging.

Apparatus and methods for endodontic treatment of teeth provide effective cleaning of organic material (such as pulp and diseased tissue) from the root canal system. In an embodiment, a compressor system generates high pressure liquid (e.g., water) that flows through an orifice to produce a high-velocity collimated jet of liquid. The high-velocity jet is directed toward a surface of a tooth, for example, an exposed dentinal surface, and impingement of the jet onto the surface generates an acoustic wave that propagates throughout the tooth. The acoustic wave effectively detaches organic material from dentinal surfaces and tubules. The detached organic material is flushed from the root canal system by the liquid jet and/or by additional irrigation.

Apparatus and methods for endodontic treatment of teeth provide effective cleaning of organic material (such as pulp and diseased tissue) from the root canal system. In an embodiment, a compressor system generates high pressure liquid (e.g., water) that flows through an orifice to produce a high-velocity collimated jet of liquid. The high-velocity jet is directed toward a surface of a tooth, for example, an exposed dentinal surface, and impingement of the jet onto the surface generates an acoustic wave that propagates throughout the tooth. The acoustic wave effectively detaches organic material from dentinal surfaces and tubules. The detached organic material is flushed from the root canal system by the liquid jet and/or by additional irrigation.

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.

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.