Abstract:
A dental reamer/file is in the form of an elongated shank having a proximal end portion and a distal end and a tapered working portion of determined length extending therebetween, the external surface of the shank working portion having at least two equally spaced apart continuous concave helical flutes and therebetween an equal number of spiraled, spaced apart flanges, each flange having in a plane perpendicular to the length of a longitudinal axis of the shaft an outer end defined by a first and a second surface intersecting at a point of maximum radius from the axis, the first surface being relatively short and the second surface relatively longer, the point of maximum radius providing a spiraled scraping edge.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is not related to any pending domestic or international patent applications.  
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
       [0002]     This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention.  
         [0004]     This invention relates to a flexible tool that is particularly adaptable for use as an endodontic instrument, most particularly, an endodontic reamer/file for use by practitioners in removing the pulpal material from an exposed root of a tooth and for shaping the root canal to receive filler material therein.  
         [0005]     2. Background of the Invention.  
         [0006]     One of the most significant advancements in dentistry in recent years has been improved treatment of abscessed teeth. In the past a tooth, once abscessed, was usually pulled as the only remedy for alleviating the intense pain. By “abscessed” usually means that the root canal of the tooth becomes infected and the infection causes pressure on the tooth and the nerve endings associated therewith that result in, sometimes, almost unbearable pain. With the advent of endodontics the drastic measure of extracting a tooth that has become abscessed has been eliminated.  
         [0007]     The first step in the endodontic treatment of an abscessed tooth is to drill an opening in the crown of the tooth to provide access to the root canal. Once the root canal is exposed, the practitioner then must thoroughly clean the root canal of pulpal material since if the pulpal material is not thoroughly and carefully removed it can be the source of continued infection. Not only is it necessary that the pulpal material be removed but the root canal usually must be shaped in such a way as to permit filling of the root canal with a filler material. While other types of filler materials have been provided still at the present time the most common filler is a paste-like material referred to as “gutta-percha.” If the canal is not properly cleaned and shaped the step of filling with gutta-percha, or other filler material, may leave void areas that invite the introduction into the root canal of organic matter that can be followed by bacterial action. For these reasons much of the effort of a practitioner to successfully accomplish the endodontic treatment of an abscessed tooth is the cleaning and shaping of the root canal. These steps are accomplished utilizing small diameter tapered reamer/files that are inserted by the practitioner through the exposed crown area into the root canal. The canal must be cleaned from the crownal area advancing to the root apex.  
         [0008]     A root canal is typically in a, tapered configuration, that is, the cross-sectional area of canals is usually greater near the crown of the tooth and is at a minimum at the apex of the tooth, that is, the distal end of the root canal. While the root canal is naturally tapered it is not tapered symmetrically and the canal can have inclusions in intermediate portions between the apex and the crown area that interfere with the passage of filler material. Therefore the root canal must be shaped to remove unnecessary intrusions and to improve the chances that the practitioner can successfully fill the root canal.  
         [0009]     Files are usually provided with a small cylindrical plastic handle portion by which the practitioner manually manipulates the files. By “manipulation” means inserting a file into a canal and reciprocating it to file away intrusions and at the same time to remove pulpal material. Typically the practitioner inserts a file to the point of resistance and then rotates and reciprocates the file to engage spiral scraping edges with the canal wall. The file is then extracted to remove pulpal material and matter scraped from the wall. This procedure is repeated as necessary to clean the entire length of the canal. In the cleaning process the practitioner usually starts with a file of a small diameter and then, as progress is made in cleaning and shaping the canal, larger diameter files are employed until the root canal is shaped and cleaned to the apex. Accordingly, endodontic files usually come in sets of standard tapers and varying from smaller to larger diameters.  
         [0010]     Instead of manually rotating an endodontic file the practitioner may insert the file proximal end into the chuck of a hand piece by which the file is mechanically rotated and manipulated.  
         [0011]     Root canals are characteristically not straight. Some root canals curve more than others but few are perfectly straight from the crown to the apex. Therefore it is important that files be flexible so as to be able to follow the natural curvature of the root canal as it is cleaned and shaped from the tooth crown to the tooth apex. If a file is too stiff it can result in the file protruding through a side wall of a tooth root which can introduce an avenue of infection into the tooth. Further, if the file is stiff it is less successful in cleaning the entire area of a canal since the stiffness will cause the file to be deflected drastically to one side of a curve in a canal leaving a portion of the wall that defines the curve unexposed to the action of the file. Therefore, a high degree of flexibility is a desirable characteristic of an endodontic file.  
         [0012]     In addition, the strength of a file is very important. In the process of reciprocating and rotating a file in a tooth it is possible for the file to break, leaving a broken part in the tooth. This creates a serious problem for the practitioner. Accordingly, it has long been a desire of the dental profession to have available dental files that are highly flexible and yet have strong torsional strengths to resist breakage as a result of the twisting and pulling actions as a file is manipulated within a root canal. The present invention provides a way of substantially decreasing the torque demand of dental files.  
         [0013]     The introduction of nickel-titanium alloy for use in manufacturing endodontic instruments has greatly simplified root canal shaping procedures. Due to greater flexibility nickel-titanium has been found to be better than stainless steel in maintaining the original shape of files. Moreover, these instruments are also characterized by a larger maximum torque to failure than stainless instruments.  
         [0014]     The nickel-titanium mechanically driven engine instrument operates turning continuously in a clock or counterclockwise direction. At the same time it is alternatively inserted and extracted from the root canals. The first working condition leads to the presence of a constant tangential stress whose maximum value depends on the canal anatomy and dentin hardness. In the second working condition, the instrument is constrained to follow the geometry of the root canals and is subjected to a normal stress that depends on the instrument cross section dimension and shape.  
         [0015]     Normal stresses are responsible of the low cycle fatigue failure of instruments. The maximum tangential and normal stresses together are responsible for the ductile failure of instruments. The optimal design of an instrument cross section is extremely important because it directly influences its torsional and bending properties and, consequently, the maximum normal and tangential stress values.  
         [0016]     3. Description of the Prior Art.  
         [0017]     For background information relating to the subject matter of this invention and specifically relating to dental reamer/files, reference may be had to the following issued United States patents and publications:  
                                           PATENT                   NUMBER   INVENTOR(S)   ISSUE DATE   TITLE                   4,443,193   Roane   04/17/1984   Endodontic Instrument       4,536,159   Roane   08/20/1985   Endodontic Instrument       4,934,934   Arpaio, Jr. et al.   06/19/1990   Dental File/Reamer Instrument       5,380,200   Heath et al.   01/10/1995   Endodontic Instrument Of Predetermined                   Flexibility       5,464,362   Heath et al.   11/07/1995   Endodontic Instrument       5,658,145   Maillefer et al.   08/19/1997   Set Of Instruments For Boring Dental                   Radicular Canals And Method Therefor       5,692,902   Aeby   12/02/1997   Set Of Instruments For The Boring Of                   Radicular Dental Canals       5,873,719   Calas et al.   02/23/1999   Dental Reamer       5,897,316   Buchanan   04/27/1999   Endodontic Treatment System       5,921,775   Buchanan   07/13/1999   Endodontic Treatment System       5,975,899   Badoz et al.   11/02/1999   Dental Reamer       6,012,921   Riitano   01/11/2000   Endodontic Systems For The Anatomical,                   Sectional And Progressive Corono-Apical                   Preparation Of Root Canals With Three Sets                   Of Dedicated Instruments       6,074,209   Johnson   06/13/2000   Reduced Torque Endodontic File       6,217,335   Riitano et al.   04/17/2001   Endodontic Systems And Methods For The                   Anatomicall, Sectional And Progressive                   Corono-Apical Preparation Of Root Canals                   With Minimal Apical Intrusion       6,267,592   Mays   07/31/2001   Highly Flexible Instrument For Dental                   Applications       6,312,261   Mays   11/06/2001   Endodontic Obturator With Removable                   Carrier And Method Of Use Thereof       6,315,558   Farzin-Nia et al.   11/13/2001   Method Of Manufacturing Superelastic                   Endodontic Files And Files Made Therefrom       6,390,819   Riitano   05/21/2002   Endodontic Systems And Methods For The                   Anatomical, Sectional And Progressive                   Corono-Apical Preparation Of Root Canals                   With Dedicated Stainless Steel Instruments                   And Dedicated Nickel/Titanium Instruments       6,419,488   McSpadden et al.   07/16/2002   Endodontic Instrument Having A Chisel Tip       6,514,076   Bleiweiss et al.   02/04/2003   Precipitation Hardenable Stainless Steel                   Endodontic Instruments And Methods For                   Manufacturing And Using The Instruments       6,520,774   Mays   02/18/2003   Highly Flexible Instrument For Medical                   Applications       6,644,972   Mays   11/11/2003   Endodontic Obturator With Removable                   Carrier And Method Of Use Thereof       6,746,245   Riitano et al.   06/08/2004   Methods For Cleaning And Shaping                   Asymmetrical Root Canals In An Anatomical                   Fashion       2004/0121283   Mason   06/24/2004   Precision Cast Dental Instrument       2003/0077553   Brock   04/24/2003   Endodontic Instrument Having Notched                   Cutting Surfaces       2004/0058297   Danger   03/02/2004   Root Canal Instrument       2004/0043357   Garman   03/04/2004   Endodontic Instrument       2004/0023186   McSpadden   02/05/2004   Multi-Tapered Endodontic File       Re. 34,439   Heath   11/09/1993   Dental Compactor Instrument                  
 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     The invention herein is a dental reamer/file that is for use in performing endodontic procedures, that is, specifically, cleaning and shaping the root canal of a tooth to prepare the tooth to receive filler material, such as gutta percha.  
         [0019]     The invention is specifically a file which may be manipulated manually or by machine, that is, a hand piece that is commonly used by endodontic practitioners. The file includes an elongated shank with a proximal end, a distal end and a tapered working portion that extends from the proximal portion to the distal end. The shank also includes either an enlarged diameter handle portion, typically made of plastic for manually manipulating the file or a smaller diameter metal portion, usually integral with the file, that is configured to be received in a dental hand piece by which the file is mechanically rotated and can be manipulated by the practitioner.  
         [0020]     The dental reamer/file of this invention includes an elongated shank having a proximal portion, a distal end and a tapered working portion extending from the proximal portion to the distal end. The external surface of the shank working portion is defined in part by a plurality of at least two equally spaced apart continuous concave helical flutes formed into a central core portion of the shank working portion. The flutes have therebetween an equal number of spiraled, spaced apart, flanges. Each flange has, in a plane perpendicular to the length of a longitudinal axis of the shaft, an outer end defined by a first and a second surface intersecting at a point of maximum radius from the axis. The first surface is relatively short and the second surface is relatively longer and convex arcuate. The point of maximum radius provides a scraping edge.  
         [0021]     In a preferred embodiment, the first surface is a leading surface and the second surface is a trailing surface. However, when the file is rotated in the opposite direction, the leading surface becomes the trailing surface and vice versa. The shorter, first surface, can be substantially straight while the second, longer surface is preferably convex semi-circular. The flutes are preferably concave semi-circular and the depth of the flutes can vary to thereby vary the flexibility of the file. In a preferred arrangement the depth of the flutes vary along the length of the shank working portion.  
         [0022]     A more complete understanding of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and claims, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of an endodontic file of the type that can be used to incorporate the principals of this invention. The file illustrated in  FIG. 1  is the type for insertion into a hand piece so that the reamer/file is mechanically rotated and the axial advancement of the file into the root canal can be simultaneously varied by the practitioner.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view taken along the line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows the structure of the file working portion as being formed by three spiraled flutes providing three spiraled shank portions. That is, the shank portions are the areas between the flutes. While in the illustrated embodiment there are three flutes and correspondingly three flanges, the file of this invention may incorporate as few as two spaced apart spiral flutes separated by two spaced apart spiral flanges or can incorporate three, four or more spiraled flutes and flanges. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the minimum number of spiraled flutes and flanges is two and the maximum number is four with either two or three flutes and flanges being preferred. The drawings of  FIGS. 1 and 2  show the preferred arrangement including three flutes and three flanges.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2A  is a cross section view as in  FIG. 2  but showing the arrangement wherein the depth of the flutes is greater. Specifically,  FIG. 2A  shows flutes that are semi-circular as does  FIG. 2  however in  FIG. 2A  the radius of curvature of the flutes is reduced to thereby cause the flutes to be deeper. Since there is less cross-sectional area in the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  the reamer/file is correspondingly more flexible but at the same time has less torsional resistance.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view as in  FIG. 2A  but showing an embodiment in which the first and second surfaces defining the outer end of each flange portion are both straight.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]     It is to be understood that the invention that is now to be described is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and arrangement of the parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in a variety of ways. The phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and not limitation.  
         [0028]     Elements illustrated in the drawings are identified by the following numbers:  
                                                       10   Shank portion           12   Proximal end           14   Distal end           16   Working portion           18   Helical flutes           20   Helical flanges           22   Longitudinal axis           24   First, short surface           26   Second, longer surface           26A   Straight longer surface           28   Point of maximum radius, helical scraping edge                      
 
         [0029]     Referring to the drawings and first to  FIG. 1 , an elevational view illustrates a typical endodontic file. The file includes a shank portion  10  that is configured to be received in the chuck of a hand tool by which the file is rotated and manipulated by an endodontic practitioner. In another common embodiment, not illustrated herein, instead of shank  10  a handle formed of a short length of generally cylindrical plastic material designed to be grasped between the thumb and forefinger of the practitioner by which the file is positioned and rotated can be employed. The file generally speaking is the same whether configured for mechanical rotation, that is, that includes shank  10  or instead, a manually manipulatible handle.  
         [0030]     The shank portion  10  is at a proximal end  12  of the file. A distal end  14  is of substantially reduced diameter. Intermediate the proximal end  12  and distal end  14  is an elongated working portion generally indicated by the numeral  16 . Formed on the exterior of the file working portion  16  is a plurality of at least two helical flutes  18 . Each helical flute  18  is spirally formed on the exterior surface of the tool working portion  16 . While a minimum of two spaced apart flutes may be employed, a preferred arrangement is to employ three such flutes that are illustrated flutes  18 A,  18 B and  18 C in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A. While theoretically four or more flutes  18  can be employed, as a practical matter, the preferred arrangement is a minimum of two flutes and the preferred number is three as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A.  
         [0031]     Each flute  18  extends the length of the working portion  18  from adjacent the proximal end  12  to the distal end  14 . The flutes  18  can vary in depth. In the preferred and illustrated arrangements, each of the flutes is semi-circular.  FIGS. 2 and 2 A illustrate two different length of radius of the semi-circular flutes. For instance, in  FIG. 2 , the flutes  18 A,  188 B and  18 C each have a radius of curvature R equal to 0.43 inches, whereas in  FIG. 2A , each of the flutes  18 A,  18 B and  18 C is of a shorter radius, illustrated by example, as a radius of 0.3 inches. It must be kept in mind that  FIGS. 2 and 2 A are substantially enlarged compared to the typical endodontic file.  
         [0032]     The flutes  18  are illustrated as being semi-circular, and this is a preferred arrangement, however it is not essential to the practice of the invention that flutes  18  be made exactly semi-circular. It is only important that the flutes have a concave surface. Further, whether semi-circular or some other concave configuration, the depth of the flutes can vary considerably. For instance, in one embodiment, a set of the endodontic files of this invention may be provided where the files are of different diameters but wherein the radius of the flutes is consistent from the proximal to the distal end of each file. Other sets of files may have an arrangement wherein the depth of the flutes  18  is related to the diameter of the file, that is, wherein larger diameter files have correspondingly greater relative depths of concavity, that is, reduced radiuses of curvature of the semi-circular flutes. In other sets of the files the concavity can vary along the length of each file. For instance, the file illustrated in  FIG. 1  can be provided wherein the upper portion of the working portion  16 , that is the portion most near the proximal end  12 , can be semi-circular with a radius of curvature that is relative long while the flutes are of a reduced radius of curvature, such as shown in  FIG. 2A , in the portion of the working surface of the file adjacent distal end  14 . Generally speaking, the torsional resistance of each file is proportional to the depth of the concavity of flutes  18 . That is, as the flutes are deeper in concavity, such as  FIG. 2A  compared to  FIG. 2 , the torsional resistance of the file decreases. Sets of files can be manufactured according to this invention in which the files in the set are characterized by high torque strength or resistance to cyclic fatigue  
         [0033]     Between each helical flute  18  is a spiraled, spaced apart, flange  20 , designated as  20 A,  20 B and  20 C. The flanges  20  are the portions of the file body that exists between flutes  18 , and specifically between flutes  18 A,  18 B and  18 C as seen in  FIG. 2  and  2 A. In the illustrated embodiments since there are three helical flutes  18 A,  18 B and  18 C there are three helical flanges  20 A,  20 B and  20 C. Each of the flanges  20  has an outer end surface as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A. The outer end surface of each flange  20  is defined by a first, relatively short surface  24  and a second relatively longer surface  26 . The surfaces  24  and  26  of each flange meets at a point of maximum radius  28 . Each point of maximum radius  28  provides a spiraled scraping edge. That is, the intersection of flange surfaces  24  and  26  provides for helical scraping edges  28  that extends the full length of the tool working portion  16 .  
         [0034]     Both the first, short surface  24  and the second, longer surface  26  of each flange  20  may be straight, however in the preferred arrangement each of the surfaces  24  and  26  are preferably arcuate. As an example, in  FIG. 2  the first, short surface  24  of each flange portion has a radius of 0.3 inches as does each second, longer surface  26 . The length of the radius of both the longer and shorter surfaces  24  and  26  can vary and it is not necessary that each have the same length radius.  
         [0035]     The geometrical configuration of the endodontic file as illustrated in the cross-sectional views of  FIGS. 2 and 2 A define a file that is essentially a scraping rather than a cutting instrument. This is so since the point of maximum radius  28  is defined by surfaces that intersect at an included angle of greater than 90°. Either the short surfaces  24  or the longer surfaces  26  can be a leading surface. For instance, as seen in  FIG. 2  and  2 A, if the file is rotated clockwise, then the short surfaces  24  become a leading surface and the longer surfaces  26  become a trailing surface. However, if the file is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, these conditions reverse.  
         [0036]     First and second surfaces  24  and  26  of each flange portion in the illustrated arrangement are convex in the preferred arrangement. However, as previously indicated, instead of being convex the surfaces could be straight as illustrated in  FIG. 2B . Specifically, in  FIG. 2B  both the first, short surface  24  and the second, longer surface  26 B are straight. Further, it is noted that in the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , the radius of curvature of each of the surfaces  24  and  26  is the same, that is, 0.3 inches which is greater than the radius of the file itself. As illustrated, the radius from the longitudinal axis  22  to each scraping edge  28  is 0.2 inches.  
         [0037]     In the technology of manufacturing endodontic files there are two standard, well known and frequently employed cross-sectional arrangements. One is referred to as a ProFile arrangement and the other a ProTaper arrangement. The ProFile cross sectional arrangement typically does not employ flutes but instead has convexed surfaces that interconnect to provide scraping edges. The ProTaper file employs flutes but the geometrical configuration of the outer surfaces that defines the outer working ends of each of the flanges typically consists of a single arcuatious surface, the arc having the same radius of curvature as the instrument point of maximum radius. The cross sectional embodiment of the invention herein as exemplified in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A takes advantage of the positive characteristics of both the ProFile and ProTaper files by avoiding the deficiency of these prior used designs. The ProTaper cross section is characterized by good cutting capabilities but by large moment of inertia (torsional stiffness), and a reduced capability of dentine debris removal. The ProFile cross section is characterized by a reduced moment of inertia, that is, it is a more compliant, torsional flexible instrument and has good capability of debris removal but has only a fair cutting capability. The ProTaper good cutting capabilities are obtained because of the helical concave flutes between the flanges whereas the presence of large groove between the flanges are responsibility for the ProFiles reduced moment of inertia and good capability of debris removal. The cross-sectional arrangement of  FIGS. 2 and 2 A keeps essentially the advantage of the ProFile edges by including concave helical flanges but introduces the presence of helical grooves between the helical flanges and in this way the cutting performance of the ProTaper file as well as the debris removal capability of the ProFile are essentially preserved. In short, the invention herein preserves the best characteristics of known geometries used in the basic design of endodontic files.  
         [0038]     While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.