Patent ID: 8602779

Claim:
An endodontic plugger comprising: a handle and a shaft extending from the handle; the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; the plugger defining a working end at the distal end of the shaft; the working end of the plugger comprising: a plurality of movable plates independently operably connected to the shaft; the plurality of moveable plates in combination defining at least a portion of a variable plugging surface; the moveable plates being independently movable relative to each other thereby enabling the circumferential size and/or shape of the plugging surface to be varied substantially instantaneously by contact with the wall of a root canal during an obturation procedure; and a stationary surface spaced from the distal end of the shaft by means of a post; said movable plates being generally parallel to and surrounding at least a portion of said stationary surface and being movable relative to said stationary surface.