ENDODONTIC DEVICES

Abstract

A device for measuring the length of a root canal of a subject is provided. The device includes a flexible sheath slidable over a dental handpiece head. The sheath includes electrically conducting wires for connecting to an apex locator. Also provided is a device for measuring root canal length that includes an endodontic file having a metallic element at the file end far from the end inserted into a root canal. The modified file provides a region in the metallic element for electronic attachment to an apex locator such that the rubber stopper may be moved along the entire file surface without interference.

Claims

1. A device for measuring length of a root canal comprising: an endodontic file having a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the proximal end of the file comprises a metallic element and the distal end is insertable into the root canal; and wherein the metallic element is configured to accept a first end of a wire, wherein a second end of the wire is connected to an apex locator.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the file is detachably connected to the apex locator.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the metallic element comprises a knob.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the wire comprises a connector element for attaching to the metallic element.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the connector element is a clip of the apex locator.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a slidable rubber stopper.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the rubber stopper may be moved freely along the length of the file.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximal end comprises plastic.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the metallic element is exposed within an opening in the plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The foregoing and other features and advantages provided by the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read together with the drawings in the accompanying Appendix A (two pages), in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a flexible sheath (105) that can easily slide over a dental handpiece head (111). The sheath contains an internal wire (extreme right) (108) configured for connecting to an apex locator (104).

[0013] FIG. 2 top panel shows a prior art device for measuring root canal length. The device includes an endodontic file with a plastic handle (203), exposed metal portion (201), a rubber stopper (202), and a wire (209) connecting the file to an apex locator (207). The wire contacts a region of the file between the rubber stopper (202) and the plastic handle (203).

[0014] FIG. 2 middle and bottom panels show the prior art endodontic file modified with the addition of a metallic element that includes a knob (205) above the plastic handle (203). A region (206) is shown for connecting the file to the apex locator (207) through the wire (209).

[0015] FIG. 3 sets forth an embodiment of the invention in which a clip attached to the rotary handpiece for the connection of an apex locating device.

[0016] The Appendix including the Figures are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Provided herein are exemplary embodiments directed to an endodontic device for allowing a dental professional to determine the location of the apex or the length of the root canal by connecting a standard rotary handpiece to an apex locator. The device is used in conjunction with an endodontic file attached to a dental handpiece. The handpiece is capable of revolving the file at a consistent speed (rpm). The device includes a readily sterilizable flexible sheath that can slide over the head of the dental handpiece. In one embodiment, the device links the file in the handpiece to an apex locator, and allows for determining the location of the apex as the file is moving within the root canal. Using the device, even if the rubber stopper of the endodontic file (typically used to mark a reference point on the file) is displaced, the position of the file in the canal remains known. The device is further described below with reference to FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a prior art device for measuring root canal length (left); an improvement according to the present technology, including a flexible sheath/shield (105) for sliding over a dental handpiece (101) head (111) (middle); and, an improved device having the flexible sheath (105) slid over the handpiece head (right). The Figure shows a first wire (108) passing through the flexible sheath (105). Also shown as part of the flexible sheath (105) is a flexible member (109). In the flexible sheath (105) one end of the first wire (108) is disposed proximal to the flexible member (109), and the other end is configured (106, 107) for connecting to an apex locator (104). In various embodiments of the device, upon insertion of the file (102) proximal end (110) into the handpiece head (111), the flexible member (109) makes electric contact with the end of the first wire proximal to the flexible member (109). The other end of the wire includes a first connector (106) that detachably connects to a second connector (107) provided at one end of a second wire (103). The other end of the second wire is connected to the apex locator (104). To the right the flexible sheath (105) is shown surrounding the headpiece in a close fit. The flexible sheath (105) is a universal fit for all commonly used dental handpiece heads.

[0019] The device, allows the user to determine the distance between the apex of the tooth and the distal end of the file, e.g., when the file is in the rotatory handpiece (101). In one embodiment, the flexible electrically conducting member (109) of the device may be spring loaded so as to contact the end of the first wire (108) only when pushed by the file proximal end (110) as the file (102) is inserted into the handpiece head (111). The flexible member (109) may be a flap having electrically conducting wires. The sheath (105) may be made of autoclavable plastic. The sheath may be sterilized by autoclaving after it is slid off the handpiece head (111) and disconnected from the wire (103) that connects it to the apex locator (104).

[0020] In another embodiment, the first wire (108) may be operatively connected to the rotatory handpiece (101). In this embodiment, the handpiece (101) would be made out of a conductive material that allows for attachment of the apex locator to a location directly to the rotary handpiece (101). In exemplary embodiments, the connection may be through an attached fastener located on the handpiece (101) or through a clamp attached to the first wire (108). In another embodiment, only a portion of the handpiece would be made out of an appropriate material for connection of the first wire (108). This embodiment is exemplified in FIG. 3.

[0021] The apex locator as described herein is exemplified showing a wired connection between the device and apex locator. However, in alternate embodiments, the device may be connected to the apex locator (104) by a wireless connection such as WiFi or Bluetooth.

[0022] The device described herein can be used in connection with any number of commercially available apex locators. Exemplary apex locators include the Morita Root ZXII, the Formatron D-10 Apex Locator, or the Dentsply Ray-Pex5.

[0023] Embodiments of the present technology are directed also to another device for measuring root canal length, the device including an endodontic file configured to connect to an apex locator such that the rubber stopper of the file may be moved freely along the entire length of the exposed metal portion of the file without interference. The device is further described below with reference to FIG. 2.

[0024] FIG. 2 top panel shows a prior art device for measuring root canal length. Included in the device is an endodontic file with a plastic handle (203), having an exposed metal portion (201), a rubber stopper (202), and a wire (209) for connecting the file to an apex locator (207). The wire contacts a region of the file between the rubber stopper (202) and the plastic handle (203). FIG. 2 middle and bottom panels show an improvement according to the present technology made to the prior art endodontic file. The prior art endodontic file is modified with the addition of a metallic element to the plastic handle (203). In the embodiment shown in the Figure, the metallic element includes a knob (205). The improvement provides a region (206) between the knob (205) and the plastic handle (203) such that the rubber stopper (not shown) may be moved along the exposed portion (201) of the file without interference from the connection to the apex locator. The knob (205) is configured to accept a first end of the wire (209). The second end of the wire is connected to the apex locator (207). Also shown in the FIG. 2 is a connector element (204) at the first end of the wire (209) for attaching to the metallic element at the file proximal end. The connector element may be a clip.

[0025] While exemplary embodiments have been described herein, it is expressly noted that these embodiments should not be construed as limiting, but rather that additions and modifications to what is expressly described herein also are included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it is to be understood that many of the features of the various embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and can exist in various combinations and permutations, even if such combinations or permutations are not made express herein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology.