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 in a semi-liquid state and exposed to light to cure the adhesive.

1 . A plug configured to be implanted into an endodontically prepared root canal of a tooth, comprising:
 an elongated body comprised of a biologically compatible, nonporous, 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 provided on a surface of the elongated body and adapted to be interposed between the elongated body and an inner surface of the root canal, the adhesive compound being configured to chemically bond the body to the inner surface of the root canal;   wherein the elongated body is formed from a material such that an interior of the elongated body is resilient after being chemically bonded to the inner surface of the root canal.   
   
   
       2 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is formed entirely of an optically transmissible resilient material. 
   
   
       3 . The plug of  claim 2 , 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. 
   
   
       4 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is formed from a polymethylmethacrylate. 
   
   
       5 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is formed from silicon-based organic polymer polydimethylsiloxane. 
   
   
       6 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is formed from a composition of butyl methacrylate polymer and butyl methacrylate monomer. 
   
   
       7 . The plug of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is formed from a thermoplastic polymer. 
   
   
       8 . A method for obturating a root canal passage in a tooth, comprising:
 applying a light-curing adhesive to the root canal passage or to a plug;   implanting the plug into the root canal passage, the plug being optically transmissive and formed of a resilient material and sealing an apical portion of the root canal when implanted; and   exposing a portion of the plug to a light source to cure the adhesive, the adhesive being formed from a composition whereby the plug is chemically bonded to the root canal when implanted;   wherein the plug is formed from a material that cooperates with the light-curing adhesive such that the plug remains resilient after the adhesive is cured.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plug is formed entirely of an optically transmissible resilient material. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plug is formed from a composition including a butyl methacrylate. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plug is formed from silicone. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , 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. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising heating the plug prior to insertion into the root canal passage. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising forming an access opening in a crown of the tooth prior to inserting the plug, and further wherein the plug is inserted such that it fills the root canal but does not fill the access opening formed in the crown in the tooth. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 providing a plurality of plugs, the plurality of plugs having a plurality of different sizes adapted to conform to the size and contours of a corresponding plurality of root canals; and   selecting the plug from the plurality of plugs, the selected plug having a distal end, a proximal end, and a length sufficient 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, the distal end extending to the apical portion and substantially abutting the walls of the root canal when the plug is implanted, the plug further having an elongated support portion.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the elongated support portion tapers from the proximal end to the distal end. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the elongated support portion further includes a handle. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plug is formed from a first component of a two-component bonding system and the adhesive is formed from a catalyst component of a two-component bonding system. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the adhesive comprises a two-part bonding system and further wherein the step of applying the adhesive comprises applying a first part of the two-part bonding system to the plug and applying a second part of the two-part bonding system to the root canal passage. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plug is formed as a pellet, and further wherein the step of implanting comprises heating the pellet to a flowable state and injecting the flowable pellet into the root canal.