Patent ID: 7743505
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: A61C,B21H,B22F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing an endodontic instrument or an intermediate product, comprising: (a) providing a mold having a mold cavity that at least partially corresponds to or approximates a shape of an endodontic instrument or an intermediate product having a proximal end and a distal end, that is essentially straight between the proximal end and the distal end, and that has a length and a width so as to be readily insertable within a root canal of a tooth; (b) inserting a molding material comprising a metal powder into the mold cavity and shaping the molding material to form a green molded part that corresponds to or approximates the shape of an endodontic instrument or an intermediate product having a proximal end and distal end, that is essentially straight between the proximal end and the distal end, and that has a length and a width so as to be readily insertable within a root canal of a tooth; (c) sintering the green molded part to form a solid metal part having a shape that at least partially corresponds to or approximates the shape of an essentially straight endodontic instrument or an intermediate product having a length and a width so as to be readily insertable within a root canal of a tooth; and (d) cold working the solid metal part in order to harden and/or remove imperfections in the solid metal part, the method yielding an endodontic instrument or an intermediate product including an at least partially formed cutting edge in the solid metal part.