Patent ID: 6106296
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
An improved method of cleaning and shaping a root canal in a tooth in preparation for filling the root canal with a filler material, such as gutta percha, as a part of an endodontic procedure, the root canal having a proximal portion adjacent the tooth pulp chamber and tapering to an apex portion adjacent the tooth apex, the root canal having a characteristic rate of taper, comprising the steps of:inserting into the root canal a first file having spiraled scraping edges formed thereon, the file having a proximal end and a distal end, the file being tapered from adjacent said proximal end to said distal end, the rate of taper being greater than said characteristic rate of taper of said root canal;rotating and axially advancing said file within said root canal to clean and shape said root canal, the relative rate of taper of said file relative to said root canal characteristic taper being such that said root canal is shaped, at least in significant part, by first cleaning and shaping the root canal proximal portion; andusing additional files of different diameters, each said file having the same rate of taper as said first file and otherwise similar to said first file, for advancing the cleaning and shaping action from the root canal proximal portion to the root canal apex portion.