Apparatus and method for root canal obturation

Abstract

The present invention is directed to root canal obturation in a tooth. In one embodiment, a plug is positioned in a root canal and bonded to the root canal by applying a light-curing adhesive to the canal and exposing the plug to a light source to bond the plug to the root canal. In another embodiment, a carrier is disclosed having an optically transmissive plug portion for insertion into the canal. In still another embodiment, the plug portion of the carrier includes an optical fiber to transmit light from a light source into the plug portion. In still yet another embodiment, a filler material is heated and injected into the root canal i,n a semi-liquid state and exposed to light to cure the adhesive.

1 - 60 . (canceled)  
   
   
       61 . A plug for implantation into an endodontically prepared root canal of a tooth, comprising: 
 an elongated body comprised of a biologically compatible, resilient material that is one component of a two component bonding system, the body having a distal end and a proximal end and a length to allow the distal end to be positioned adjacent to an apical portion of the tooth when the body is inserted in the root canal of the tooth.    
   
   
       62 . The plug of  claim 61 , wherein the body comprises a catalyst portion of the two component bonding system.  
   
   
       63 . The plug of  claim 61 , wherein the body comprises a resin portion of the two component bonding system.  
   
   
       64 . The plug of  claim 61 , wherein the body comprises an activator portion of the two component bonding system.  
   
   
       65 . The plug of  claim 61 , wherein at least one component of the two component bonding system includes a photocatalyst.  
   
   
       66 . A carrier for root canal obturation in an endodontically prepared tooth, comprising: 
 an elongated plug portion comprised of a biologically implantable, resilient material that is one component of a two component bonding system, the plug having a distal end and a proximal end and a length to allow the distal end to be positioned adjacent to an apical portion of the tooth when the plug portion is implanted in the root canal of the tooth; and    an elongated support portion having a first end coupled to the proximal end of the plug portion and an opposing second end.    
   
   
       67 . The carrier of  claim 66 , wherein the plug portion comprises a catalyst portion of the two component bonding system.  
   
   
       68 . The carrier of  claim 66 , wherein the plug portion comprises a resin portion of the two component bonding system.  
   
   
       69 . The carrier of  claim 66 , wherein the plug portion comprises an activator portion of the two component bonding system.  
   
   
       70 . The carrier of  claim 66 , wherein at least one component of the two component bonding system includes a photocatalyst.  
   
   
       71 . A plug configured to be adhesively implanted into an endodontically prepared root canal of a tooth, comprising: 
 an elongated body comprised of a biologically compatible, resilient material of uniform composition having a distal end and a proximal end and having a length to allow the distal end to be positioned adjacent to an apical portion of the tooth when the body is inserted in the root canal of the tooth, the body occupying substantially an entire volume of the root canal when implanted; and    an adhesive compound interposed between the elongated body and an inner surface of the root canal that bonds the body to the inner surface of the root canal.    
   
   
       72 - 74 . (canceled)  
   
   
       75 . The plug of  claim 71 , wherein the adhesive compound further comprises a dual cure adhesive having a first curing rate when the adhesive is exposed to illumination, and a second curing rate when the adhesive is not exposed to illumination.  
   
   
       76 . The plug of  claim 71 , wherein the adhesive compound further comprises a two part bonding system.  
   
   
       77 . A carrier configured for adhesively obturating an endodontically prepared root canal of a tooth, comprising: 
 an elongated body comprised of a biologically compatible, resilient material of uniform composition having a distal end and a proximal end and having a length to allow the distal end to be positioned adjacent to an apical portion of the tooth when the body is inserted in the root canal of the tooth, the body occupying substantially an entire volume of the root canal when implanted;    an elongated support portion having a first end coupled to the proximal end of the plug portion and an opposing second end; and    an adhesive compound interposed between the elongated body and an inner surface of the root canal that bonds the body to the inner surface of the root canal.    
   
   
       78 - 80 . (canceled)  
   
   
       81 . The carrier of  claim 77 , wherein the adhesive compound further comprises a dual cure adhesive having a first curing rate when the adhesive is exposed to illumination, and a second curing rate when the adhesive is not exposed to illumination.  
   
   
       82 . The carrier of  claim 77 , wherein the adhesive compound further comprises a two part bonding system.  
   
   
       83 . The plug of  claim 71 , wherein the elongated body further comprises a body configured to correspond to a standardized size.  
   
   
       84 - 85 . (canceled)  
   
   
       86 . The plug of  claim 61 , wherein the body is a component that catalyzes the bonding of a dual cure bonding compound.  
   
   
       87 . The plug of  claim 71 , wherein the elongated body is further comprised of a plurality of obturating bodies that cooperatively occupy the entire volume of the root canal.  
   
   
       88 . The plug of  claim 71 , wherein the elongated body is configured to conform to at least one pre-selected size that corresponds to a size of an endodontic instrument.  
   
   
       89 . The plug of  claim 88 , wherein the elongated body is configured to conform to a pre-selected feather tip size.  
   
   
       90 . The plug of  claim 71 , wherein the elongated body is configured to conform to a predetermined dimension of an endodontic instrument.  
   
   
       91 . The plug of  claim 90 , wherein the elongated body conforms to at least one of a length, a width and a degree of taper of the endodontic instrument.