Absorbent inserts for tooth cavities

Abstract

An absorbent insert of compressed matrix of absorbent material, including a filler dispersed therein to improve stiffness/rigidity of the insert and controls the absorbency of the compressed absorbent material. The insert is pre-shaped and sized for inserting into a tooth cavity, such as a pulp chamber or a root canal space. The compressed insert expands or swells upon absorbing fluid within the tooth cavity, so as to more completely dry the tooth cavity. The absorbent insert also serve as a substrate of an applicator for medical agent to be applied to a tooth cavity. The absorbent insert is provided (e.g., coated or impregnated) with a medical agent, which medical agent is released into the tooth cavity as the absorbent material absorbs fluid in the tooth cavity.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An absorbent insert for absorbing fluid in a tooth cavity, comprising a body that comprises a compressed matrix of absorbent material, which is shaped and sized to allow the body to be inserted into a tooth cavity, wherein the tooth cavity comprises at least one of a root canal space and a pulp chamber, and wherein the compressed matrix of absorbent material swells upon absorbing fluid in the tooth cavity. 
     
     
         2 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 1 , wherein the absorbent material comprises a sponge-like material. 
     
     
         3 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 2 , wherein the sponge-like material comprises at least one of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyester, cellulose, hemicellulose, hydrocolloid. 
     
     
         4 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 2 , wherein the body further comprises a filler dispersed in the sponge-like material. 
     
     
         5 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 4 , wherein the filler comprises at least one of Titanium, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, and Zinc Oxide particles. 
     
     
         6 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 1 , wherein the body has a sectional dimension no larger than in the order of about 10 mm before absorbing fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 6 , wherein the body is shaped with a generally slender, longitudinal structure. 
     
     
         8 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 7 , wherein the longitudinal structure comprises a predefined tapered structure terminating in a small tip end, and wherein the tapered structure of the body is predefined on the body prior to inserting into a dental root canal. 
     
     
         9 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 8 , wherein the tapered structure comprises a plurality of tapered sections along an axial direction of the longitudinal structure of the body, wherein at least two of the tapered sections have different tapers along the axial direction, thereby defining a multi-tapered structure. 
     
     
         10 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a medical agent, wherein the medical agent is released when the absorbent material is exposed to fluid in the tooth cavity. 
     
     
         11 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 10 , wherein the medical agent is disposed at least at or near an exterior surface of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 11 , wherein the medical agent is coated onto the exterior surface of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 10 , wherein the medical agent is at least impregnated in the absorbent material. 
     
     
         14 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 10 , wherein the medical agent comprises at least an active ingredient that has one of the following effects when applied in the tooth cavity: therapy, treatment, healing, curative, remedial, restorative, tonic, reparative, corrective, antibiotic, anesthetic, disinfect, anti-inflammatory, pain relief. 
     
     
         15 . The absorbent insert as in  claim 10 , wherein the medical agent comprises at least one of a healing agent, a curative agent, a remedial agent, a restorative agent, a tonic agent, a reparative agent, a corrective agent, an antibiotic agent, an anesthetic agent, a disinfecting agent, a blood clotting agent, a steroidal agent, a hormonal agent, anti-inflammatory agent, a pain-relieving agent. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making an absorbent insert for absorbing fluid in a tooth cavity, comprising forming a body that comprises a compressed matrix of absorbent material, which is shaped and sized to allow the body to be inserted into a tooth cavity, wherein the tooth cavity comprises at least one of a root canal and a pulp chamber, and wherein the compressed matrix of absorbent material swells upon absorbing fluid in the tooth cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the forming step comprises:
 providing an injection mold having at least a cavity defined in the injection mold corresponding to the shape of the body of the insert;   injecting the absorbent material into the cavity in the injection mold; and   molding the absorbent material to form the body of the insert, wherein the absorbent material is in a compressed state after injecting in the cavity.   
     
     
         18 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the forming step comprises:
 providing complementary stamping split mold halves, which together define at least a cavity corresponding to the shape of the body of the insert;   placing a sheet of absorbent material between the stamping split mold halves; and   stamping the sheet with the stamping split mold halves to form the body of the insert, wherein the absorbent material is in a compressed state after stamping.   
     
     
         19 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the forming step comprises:
 providing a sheet of absorbent material;   compressing the sheet of absorbent material; and   cutting the sheet of absorbent material to form at least one insert.   
     
     
         20 . The method as in  claim 16 , wherein the forming step comprises one of the following processes:
 (a) extrusion;   (b) liquid molding; and   (c) rolling.