Patent ID: 7806690

Claim:
An endodontic instrument adapted for use in performing root canal therapy on a tooth, and comprising: a holder including a grip which is dimensioned to be gripped by a hand of a dentist, and an elongate arm which extends from the grip to a free end portion remote from the grip, with the arm having a length to permit the free end portion to reach into a posterior portion of a mouth of a patient while the grip remains outside the mouth, an elongate rod having a proximal end and an opposite pilot end and defining a working length substantially adjacent said pilot end, with at least one cutting surface on the working length, said rod being mounted to extend along at least a portion of the length of the arm of the holder so that the proximal end of the rod is adjacent the grip of the holder and a pilot end portion extends from an aperture in the free end portion of the arm of the holder, whereby the dentist can position the instrument so that the free end portion of the holder and the pilot end portion of the rod are positioned within a patient's mouth, with the grip and the proximal end of the rod located outside the mouth, and so that the pilot end of the rod can be advanced from outside a root canal substantially to an apex of the root canal by the dentist manipulating a first portion of the holder or the proximal end of the rod at a location outside the mouth of the patient without substantial movement of the grip.