Methods of accessing a pulp chamber

Abstract

A method of accessing a pulp chamber of a tooth without puncturing the furcation of the tooth includes providing an endodontic instrument having an elongated shaft with an upper end and a lower end, a stop fixed to the shaft at a distance between 6-8 mm from the lower end, and a cutting head located along the shaft adjacent the lower end thereof, whereby the cutting head has a cutting surface. The method includes abutting the cutting head against a crown of the tooth, rotating the endodontic instrument while applying a force through the cutting head onto the crown of the tooth for cutting through the tooth to the pulp chamber and advancing the cutting head toward the pulp chamber until the stop contacts the crown of the tooth.

1 . A method of accessing a pulp chamber of a tooth comprising: 
 providing an endodontic instrument having an elongated shaft with an upper end and a lower end, a stop permanently fixed to said shaft at a distance between 6-8 mm from said lower end, and a cutting head located along said shaft adjacent said lower end thereof, wherein said cutting head has a cutting surface;    abutting said cutting head against a crown of said tooth;    rotating said endodontic instrument while applying a force through said cutting head onto said crown of said tooth for cutting through said tooth to said pulp chamber;    advancing said cutting head toward said pulp chamber until said stop contacts said crown of said tooth.    
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said tooth is a molar or bicuspid.  
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cutting head includes a pointed tip and wherein the abutting step includes engaging said crown of said tooth with said pointed tip.  
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotating step includes connecting a drill to said elongated shaft of said instrument and activating said drill for rotating said endodontic instrument.  
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the advancing step ends when said stop contacts said crown of said tooth.  
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising after the advancing step, withdrawing said cutting head from said pulp chamber.  
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising inserting a bur into said pulp chamber and using said bur for widening said pulp chamber.  
   
   
       8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stop is fixed to said shaft at a distance between 6.5-7.5 mm from said lower end.  
   
   
       9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said stop is fixed to said shaft at a distance between 6.75-7.25 mm from said lower end.  
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said stop is fixed to said shaft at a distance of approximately 7 mm from said lower end.  
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising providing a pointed tip at the lower end of said shaft.  
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stop is rigid.  
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stop is permanently fixed to said shaft.  
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said shaft has an exterior surface including an annular groove and said stop is at least partially secured in the annular groove.  
   
   
       15 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cutting head has a cutting surface extending about a first circumferential portion thereof and a flat non-cutting surface extending about a second circumferential portion thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the flat non-cutting surface of said cutting head tapers inwardly between the upper and lower ends of said shaft.  
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the flat non-cutting surface tapers inwardly at approximately 4-6 degrees.  
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the cutting surface of said cutting head has cutting edges formed therein.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said cutting surface has an annular or spherical shape.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said cutting head has a cross-sectional diameter that is greater than a cross-sectional diameter of said shaft located immediately above said cutting head.  
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said stop has a shape selected from the group consisting of a circular shape and a polygon shape.  
   
   
       22 . A method of accessing a pulp chamber of a tooth without puncturing the furcation of said tooth, the method comprising: 
 providing an endodontic instrument having a shaft, a cutting head located at a lower end of said shaft, and a stop fixed to said shaft at a distance between 6-8 mm from the lower end of said shaft;    abutting said cutting head against a crown of said tooth;    rotating said endodontic instrument while applying a force through said cutting head onto said crown of said tooth for cutting through said tooth and advancing said cutting head toward said pulp chamber;    continuing to cut through said tooth while advancing said cutting head toward said pulp chamber until said stop contacts said crown of said tooth.    
   
   
       23 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein further advancement of said cutting head in said pulp chamber ceases when said stop contacts said crown of said tooth.  
   
   
       24 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said cutting head has an annular cutting surface extending about a first circumferential portion thereof and a flat non-cutting surface extending about a second circumferential portion thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said cutting head has a spherical cutting surface extending about a first circumferential portion thereof and a flat non-cutting surface extending about a second circumferential portion thereof.  
   
   
       26 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said shaft has an exterior surface including an annular groove and said stop is at least partially secured in the annular groove.