Patent ID: 7207111
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: A61C,B21F,B21K,B23H,B23P,C21D,C22F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for forming an endodontic instrument comprising: providing an instrument blank with an initial diameter and made of a starting material having a first hardness; removing starting material from the instrument blank by a method selected from the group consisting of electrical discharge machining, wire electrical discharge machining, electrical discharge grinding and electrochemical machining to form a plurality of cutting edges and flutes having a non-directional surface finish, wherein at least about 25% of the initial diameter of the instrument blank is removed at a point of maximum metal removal, and redepositing at least a portion of the removed starting material on the cutting edges and flutes being formed to form a layer of recast material having a second hardness of at least about 15% greater than the first hardness.