ENDODONTIC APICAL PLUG

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool for filling root canals of teeth in order to prevent bacteria passing thereinto following removal of the nerve from the tooth and preparation of the canal for root filling. Owing to the importance of this remedial action, several methods and tools have been developed to facilitate root canal obturation by injection of a leak-proof material. The present invention discloses a plug made from plastic or any other biocompatible material, comprising: a central, conical, cylindrical, longitudinal cavity; lateral elliptical openings connected to said longitudinal cavity; discontinuous lateral guiding supports having rounded angles and spaces therebetween; and a double leak-proof cap. The plug does not require a gripping part, which facilitates the placement of a post inside the root in order to support fixed prosthodontics and to prevent leakage of the obturating material injected into the tooth.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. An endodontic apical plug comprising: a wall, an open base and a closed tip, wherein the wall defines a longitudinal cavity extending from the open base of the plug to the closed tip of the plug, wherein a width of the longitudinal cavity is greater at the open base of the plug and narrower towards the closed tip of the plug, the longitudinal cavity being configured to accept an injection tube connected to the injection device for filling the plug towards a root of a tooth; and wherein the longitudinal cavity comprises at least one lateral longitudinal opening in the wall of the plug, the at least one lateral opening being configured to, in use, enable a tooth filling material to pass through the at least one longitudinal opening and into a tooth.

9. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein at least two longitudinal openings are provided in the wall of the plug.

10. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein at least three longitudinal openings are provided in the wall of the plug.

11. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein the longitudinal openings have an elliptical shape.

12. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein the closed tip of the plug is provided with an elliptical cross sectional shape.

13. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein the closed tip of the plug is made of a material which is the same as a material in which the walls and open base are made of.

14. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein the closed tip of the plug is made of a different material as a material in which the walls and open base are made of.

15. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein the wall close to the closed tip of the plug is provided with a leak resistant cap portion comprising a first flange and a second flange.

16. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein the open base is provided with connecting means configured to aid connection of the injection tube to the open base.

17. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein the injection tube is a needle.

18. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein an outer surface of the wall is provided with at least one guiding wing configured for guiding the plug into the root of the tooth.

19. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 8, wherein the wall is provided with at least two guiding wings.

20. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 19, wherein the guiding wings are discontinuous guiding wings with spaces between each discontinuous portion of the guiding wing, and wherein the guiding wings do not cover any of the longitudinal openings.

21. An endodontic apical plug according to claim 19, wherein the cross-sectional profile of the guiding wing comprises a rounded shape.

22. A kit of parts comprising: an endodontic plug according to claim 8, an injection device and an injection tube or needle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention and other additional advantages can be more clarified through the following detailed description that refer to the illustrative drawings in which drawings represent the following:

[0012] FIG. 1) a longitudinal section of the filler used in filling teeth root canals.

[0013] FIG. 2) a cross section of the filler used in filling teeth root canals from above.

[0014] FIG. 3) a cross section of the filler used in filling teeth root canals from below.

[0015] FIG. 4) the way the needle used in injecting the filling material meets with the filler and internal components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] FIG. 1) illustrates a longitudinal section of the filler used in filling teeth root canals (1) made of plastic (or any other biocompatible material). This filler (1) that measures about 5 mm is placed inside the bottom of the tooth, and the remaining space is filled with filling material known in dentistry. The filler (1) is unique for its elliptical end (5) that allows it to be placed in the desired place, as the elliptical end (5) sets in the tooth apex to prevent leakage of filling material to jaw bones. The filler (1) has lateral openings (4) close to the elliptical end (5). Each opening (4) is linked to the longitudinal cavity (3) that reaches from top of the filler (1) (the opposite end of the elliptical end (5)) to the openings (3).

[0017] The filler (1) is linked from the outside to guiding wings (2) with consecutively discontinuous spaces that separate each wing into several protrusions, which helps the flow of the filling material into the filler (1) and better fill the place. Additionally, these consecutive distances in the wings (2) increase the flexibility of the filler and its ability to bend inside the root canal.

[0018] FIG. 2) illustrates a cross-section of the filler used in filling teeth root canals from above. Round angles of the of guiding wings (2) are shown, in addition to the place designated for the needle used in injecting the canal filling material (7) and the longitudinal cavity (4) extending from the top of the filler (1) to the elliptical end (5).

[0019] FIG. 3) illustrates a cross-section of the filler used in filling teeth root canal from below. It shows the elliptical end (5) of the filler that can be made of the same material as that of the filler or can be made separately of the same material of the canal filler. There also appears the role of the double leak-proof cap (6).

[0020] FIG. 4) illustrates the way the needle used in injecting the filling material meets the filler and its internal components, in which the longitudinal cavity (3) is getting narrower when approaching the top end of the openings (9), as the injection tube stops directly right in its designated place (7).

[0021] Each one of the openings (4) has an elliptical shape, parallel in the middle. This design helps distributing the exit of filling material through the openings (4).

[0022] The work mechanism of the invention is inserting the injection tube (8) that is linked to the injection device (to inject the filling material later) through the longitudinal cavity (3) of the filler (1) until it completely stops going forward, directly at or before the top end of the openings (4) linked to the longitudinal cavity (3). Then the filler (1) is put at the canal (root) apex after extracting the nerve from it, by pushing it via the injection tube (8) connected to it (9) when the plug (1) is inserted into the root that is previously prepared for that. The filler (1) is directed downward and twisted, as the guiding wings (4) fill the root canals inside the tooth and guide the filler (1) when inserted and located (1) in the proper position inside the canal. Then the filling material is injected using the injection device (8) and the material goes out through the elliptical longitudinal openings (4), which guarantees that the pressure of the injected material is distributed from down upward.

[0023] It is worth mentioning that this filler (1) closes the root apex when injected, which prevents injection material from reaching tissues. It is known quite well that the filler (1) can be made of any convenient material. Often, it is made of plastic materials known in such technology. It can also be made of other more suitable materials determined later.