Patent ID: 8177554
Filing Date: 2012-05-15
Classification: A61C

Abstract:
1. A method of locating a pulp chamber of a tooth, the method comprising: a) fitting a pulp chamber locator over a crown of a tooth, the pulp chamber locator having a plate with a hole in a vicinity of a center of the plate, the plate defining an axis which is perpendicular to the plate, the pulp chamber locator having flexible and resilient struts attached to the plate, each strut having a first end which is attached to the plate and which is substantially perpendicular to the plate, and a second end which is free, wherein each strut is curved such that the free second end of each strut is curved towards the axis of the plate, the struts comprising resilient means for gripping the tooth, b) applying a marking tool to the hole so as to mark a spot on the tooth, and c) drilling into the tooth, starting at said spot, so as to form a channel leading to a pulp chamber of the tooth, wherein step (a) comprises inserting the pulp chamber locator over the tooth such that the second end of each strut engages the tooth in a vicinity of a cemento-enamel junction of the tooth.